a sense sublime

Buying and Selling

2012-01-29T19:17:00.004Z

Being into fashion is expensive. I could easily spend obscene amounts on clothes each month if I was left to my own devises (and didn't have bills and rent to pay). I don't have lots of money and since I got engaged I now have a wedding to save up for. So for the next year and a half my finances are going to be really stretched.

I've just started a new job and really need a few new things I can wear every day to work. I decided to turn to eBay. Since I gave up fast fashion and the high street eBay has been a bit of a god send. Vintage shopping is all well and good, but if you need a specific thing it can me difficult. Obviously on eBay you can search for and find almost anything - I love it.

Anyway, while browsing eBay I decided that what I should do is get round to listing some of the MASSIVE pile of clothes I have that don't fit, or aren't quiet right for me anymore. Then I can use the Paypal money I get from the sale to fund my new eBay purchases! The perfect plan and my wedding savings will stay intact!

So, today I listed my first batch. If you are interested you can find them here.

There is a big mix of high-street and vintage and everything starts at 99p! Highlights include a handmade 60s lace dress and a vintage nurses cape.

I'll be listing more this week and next weekend.

Fingers crossed it all sells as I've started bidding already!

Sublime Cooks: Brussel Sprouts with Tofu

2012-01-17T21:32:00.004Z

Ok, so I know this is a hard sell, but trust me.

Brussel Sprouts and Tofu, slightly adapted from Yotam Ottolenghi's wonderful book Plenty, was amazing. I have to say that I already love both the sprouts and tofu, but understand that both get a bit of a bad rep. However, I think recipe would be good enough to turn even the most ardent hater.

I mentioned this meal on my End of Phase 1, South Beach Diet round up yesterday and a few people on twitter asked me about it so I thought I would share the full recipe.

If you think of sprouts as over boiled and bland, please try this. Just think of them as little cabbages - and if you don't like cabbages, well, then there really is something wrong with you!

And if you have any interest in food and don't already have a copy of Plenty, go get it now, you won't regret it! I actually got engaged in Yotam Ottolenghi's fine dining restaurant Nopi, so he has a special place in my heart.

The recipe for Brussel Sprouts and Tofu was originally published in the Guardian and you can see it here.
I made a couple of changes to make it South Beach (Phase 1) friendly.

Brussel Sprouts with Tofu
Serves 2.

150g tofu, cut into large slices
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp rice vinegar
250g Brussel sprouts
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
salt
4 spring onions
1 birdseye chili
120g shiitake mushrooms, finely chopped
15g chopped coriander leaves
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Whisk 1 tbsp rapeseed oil, with the soy sauce, sesame oil and rice vinegar and marinade the tofu in it for at least 10 minutes.

Chop the based off the sprouts and cut each one into three slices, lengthways. Put a bit of rapeseed oil into a pan and fry the sprouts on a high heat for a couple of minutes. They should start to caramelise and blacken on a couple of sides. Add in the mushrooms and chili and fry together until the mushrooms are cooked through.Then remove it all from the pan and set aside.

Using the same hot pan, fry the tofu on both sides, until it starts to turn golden and caramelised.

Remove the heat from the pan and add in the chopped spring onion, most of the coriander and the sprout and mushroom mixture. Then pour in the remaining marinade and give it a gentle stir to make sure it is all coated (be careful not to beak up the tofu).

Yotam Ottolenghi says to serve it with rice. I did wholewheat noodles for my boyfriend and some lightly stir fried beansprouts for me.

Garnish with any left over coriander leaves and the toasted sesame seeds.

Enjoy!

Seriously - sprouts are ace. And this is the perfect recipe to show that they don't just have to be along side Christmas dinner (though I love them there too!).

Sublime Eats: The South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Week 2

2012-01-16T21:46:00.005Z

So I have just finished my second week of the South Beach Diet, that means I have successfully completed Phase 1!

Phase 1 is quiet hardcore - no carbs, no sugar (including fruit) and no alcohol, but I am pleased to say I totally stuck to the rules, I didn't cheat once! I ate all my snacks at the right times, developed a taste for fizzy water and have eaten more veg than I though possible!

Here is my diet diary for week 2:

Some typical South Beach Phase 1 meals from this week: Poached egg with warm cherry tomatoes and avocado, Butter bean salad with sundried tomatoes and cottage cheese, lentils with roast vegetables and halloumi, tofu and vegetable stir fry.

South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 8
Breakfast:
Veggie bacon and grilled tomato
Morning Snack:
Homemade homous and veggies
Lunch:
Leftover sausage and bean casserole with green beans
Afternoon Snack:
A handful of walnuts
Dinner:
Tofu with peppers and green bean stir fry with beansprouts

South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 9
Breakfast:
Poached egg and half an avocado
Morning Snack:
Homemade homous and veggies
Lunch:
lentil and feta salad
Afternoon Snack:
Half a small avocado
Dinner:
No-bun veggie burger and salad - from the Fine Burger Company, a great diet friendly option for when you need to eat out (we were going to the cinema that night and I was delighted to find such an ace South Beach friendly option - it was really tasty too!)

South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 10
Breakfast:
Poached egg with grilled tomato
Morning Snack:
Homemade homous and veggies
Lunch:
butter bean and chickpea salad with pesto
Afternoon Snack:
Babybel light and radishes
Dinner:
Afghan yogurt and aubergine with spice roasted chickpeas - This recipe was from a book I got for Christmas, it is so good I think it deserves a post all of its own!

South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 11
Breakfast:
Egg muffin with cottage cheese and cucumber
Morning Snack:
Homemade homous and celery
Lunch:
Chickpea and tofu salad
Afternoon Snack:
Babybel light and radishes
Dinner:
Chili with yogurt and avocado

South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 12
Breakfast:
Egg muffin with cottage cheese and cucumber
Morning Snack:
Celery with extra light soft cheese
Lunch:
leftover chili
Afternoon Snack:
half a small avocado
Dinner:
Warm lentils with roast vegetables and halloumi

South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 13
Breakfast:
Poached egg with warm cherry tomatoes and half an avocado
Morning Snack:
Babybel light and celery
Lunch:
Butter bean salad with cottage cheese
Afternoon Snack:
Hazelnuts
Dinner:
Brussels Sprouts and Tofu, with beansprouts - I know that tofu and Brussels sprouts are both divisive foods and the idea of them together might be some peoples idea of hell - but this recipe from Yottem Ottolenghi's amazing book Plenty was INCREDIBLE and also deserves its own post.

South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 14
Breakfast:
Veggie sausages, grilled tomato and a poached egg
Morning Snack:
Walnuts
Lunch:
Veggie burger, a couple of slices of low fat cheddar and salad
Afternoon Snack:
Extra light soft cheese and radishes
Dinner:
Tofu and stir fried vegetables in a homemade peanut sauce

I've actually really enjoyed Phase 1. I feel healthier, my skin is better and I am pleased to announce that over the last two weeks I have lost....(drum roll please)...5lbs!
I am so proud as I only had about 12lbs to loose so I am nearly halfway there! However I am in this for the long hall. After all my wedding wont be for another 16/17 months or so. I am trying to make healthy habits that will last for life.

So now I am starting Phase 2. I will be able to add in some portions of fruit and whole grains to my diet. I have never really had a sweet tooth, but after no sugar for two weeks I am really looking forward to the clementines I bought!

New Year = New Hair

2012-01-15T18:13:00.003Z

I just got my hair cut and highlighted! I've gone from blond to super-blond!
Also the end of my fair hair had been so damaged from all the bleaching when my hair went from being red, a couple of years ago, back to blond. The ends were literally breaking off - so I knew something had to be done.

Over Christmas I spotted a great offer on KGB Deals, it was £35 for a cut, half-head of highlights and a blow-dry. It seemed to good to turn down! I'd fancied going a bit blonder for a while but normally a haircut on its own is £45/50 and £70+ for the colour! Its just so expensive!

I was a little apprehensive as I'd never head of the salon, Blooms in Islington, and it was on a bit of a side street - the last place I had my hair done (back in May - so long ago!) was a uber-trendy Soho establishment, but I have to say I was very impressed. The colour is perfect, the cut is amazing and they made my hair feel so sleek and healthy when they blow-dried it! I would recommend them to everyone. Seriously - amazing! I will definitely be going back.

I think it was the owner of the salon who did my colour, she was really friendly and got what I wanted straight away. After that she asked if I minded if someone else cut my hair, which of course I didn't. She told me the lady who was going to do my cut was brilliant but didn't speak much English. For a moment I was concerned but there was no need. She quickly explained to my hairdresser what I wanted (in Italian) and then she got to work. She was so precise, a real perfectionist. The cut is exactly what I wanted, its a long graduated bob (so it is shorter at the back). I was nervous as I didn't want it to look short but knew I needed a lot cut off to make it health and she balanced that really well.

With the last of my Christmas money I bought myself a new Ionic hairdryer today (I've had the same old hairdryer since I was 15 - that's 10 years!) so hopefully now when I blow-dry it at home I'll get the sleek, salon look rather than fluff and frizz! I also got some V05 hot oil treatment and a coconut oil serum (thanks to the people on twitter who gave me their care tips for dry hair - if anyone has any more please do let me know!)

Speaking of Christmas money, one of the other things I got was this gorgeous jacket from Peekaboo Vintage. I got it just before I started my new job as I wanted something a bit smart. It feels very old school chic which I love! I'm also wearing a beautiful fur collar that my mum made and gave me as one of my Christmas presents!

Sublime Eats: The South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 6 and 7. The End Of Week One!

2012-01-14T10:52:00.002Z

I've had a really busy week this week so haven't done as many South Beach catch ups as I would have liked But I thought I would do a quick post on last weekend. My days 6 and 7 on the South Beach Diet as it marked the end of the first week and meant I was half way through phase 1!

On Saturday we met my boyfriends sister and her gorgeous little boys and went to the V&A and Natural History museum. It was such a lovely day, and great to see the dinosaurs with the kids - they were so excited! And I was pleasantly surprised with the selection of things I could eat in the V&A cafe - eating out while on phase 1 is meant to be notoriously difficult. I chose a vegetable frittata from the deli counter with green salad, there were new potatoes in the omelette but I just left those. I even had will power of steel - everyone had cake in the afternoon and I resisted! Being super-prepared makes the diet easier, I've bought a bag of nuts with me, so I snacked on those with my cup of tea.

It was also my first weekend without drinking, to be honest, I'm not missing it. I've developed a bit of a taste for sparking water. And my skin is better, I am sleeping better and I'm generally feeling amazing - lots of water, lots of vegetables, no alcohol, I'm really enjoying it - much more than I thought I would!

Vegetable Hash with a Fried Egg, Ratatouille with Halloumi and Salad, Halloumi Salad and Bean and
Veggie Sausage Casserole (the perfect winter comfort for for a Sunday night!)

South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 6
Breakfast:
Vegetable hash (peppers, mushrooms and tomatoes fried in a bit of FryLight with basil and spring onions) and a fried egg.
Morning Snack:
Babybel light with cucumber sticks
Lunch:
Vegetable frittata and green salad from the V&A cafe (the frittata had potato in it, but I ate around them!)
Afternoon Snack:
A handful of hazelnuts
Dinner:
Ratatouille and halloumi with salad

South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 7
Breakfast:
Poached egg with grilled tomato and veggie bacon
Morning Snack:
Babybel light with cucumber sticks
Lunch:
Halloumi salad
Afternoon Snack:
A handful of walnuts.
Dinner:
Veggie sausage and bean casserole with green beans

Sublime Eats: The South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 3, 4 and 5 Round Up.

2012-01-07T10:58:00.005Z

Today is my 6th day on the South Beach Diet, which means I am nearly half way through phase 1. I have to say I do feel super-healthy and I think not drinking is a bit part of that - though I have to admit when I got home from work on Friday night I did crave a big glass of red wine, but I didn't give in and I quickly forgot about it. I stuck to drinking water and herbal tea and was fine.

The first phase of South Beach, as well as kick starting weight loss, is about stabilising your blood sugar levels, which then lead to your body working better, so I a determined not to give into anything or cheat in any way! I have also started taking a flaxseed supplement to boost my omega 3. In the South beach book they recommend cod liver oil, however as a vegetarian that is off limits of me - flaxseed is a great alternative for us veggies.

Here are my menus from the last few days and photos of my dinners:

South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 3
Breakfast:
2 Egg muffins (which I cut in half and toasted to heat them up - which makes them even more AMAZING!) with a bit of cottage cheese and cut up cucumber.
Morning Snack:
Celery sticks with extra light soft cheese.
Lunch:
The last of the left over Shepherdess pie.
Afternoon Snack:
A handful of walnuts and hazelnuts.
Dinner:
Chili, made with vegetarian mince, kidney beans and lentils with homemade Guacamole (using cottage cheese, avocado, chili, fresh lime and a tomato) with shredded lettuce.

South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 4
Breakfast:
2 Egg muffins, toasted with left over guacamole.
Morning Snack:
Babybel light and 5 cherry tomatoes.
Lunch:
Left over chili.
Afternoon Snack:
Celery with extra light soft cheese.
Dinner:
Lentil and kale dhal with Indian roasted cauliflower.

South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 5
Breakfast:
2 Egg muffins with a little bit of cottage cheese and chopped cucumber.
Morning snack:
Celery with extra light soft cheese.
Lunch:
Left over Lentil and kale dhal with Indian roasted cauliflower.
Afternoon snack:
Handfuls of hazelnuts
Dinner:
Courgettes stuffed with Turkish style mushrooms and tomatoes with a Greek salad (using low fat feta)

Recipe for Stuffed Courgettes
Serves 2
2 large courgettes
Half a red onion, finely shopped
Heaped teaspoon sumac (a Turkish spice)
Teaspoon smoked paprika
2 cloves garlic, chopped
4 large white mushrooms, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, diced
Olive oil
Tablespoon tomato puree
salt and pepper

Cut the courgettes in half longways and score a criss-cross pattern into the cut sides. Drizzle with olive oil. Put in a hot oven and roast for 30-40 minutes.
Meanwhile cook the onion and garlic into a hot pan and fry in FryLight until soft, add in the sumac and paprika. Add mushrooms and when they are cooked down add the tomatoes, then tomato puree, a splash of water to loosen the mixture and season.
When the courgettes are starting to brown, take them out of the over and scoop out the flesh. Add it into the tomato and mushroom mixture. Stir together and add a little glug of extra virgin olive oil. Spoon the mixture back into the hollow courgette half'sand bake for a further 5 - 10 minutes.

Serve with a Greek salad - lettuce, cherry tomatos, cucumber, red onion slices, black olives, fresh dill and half a pack of low fat feta cheese, with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and drizzle of olive oil.
I also did a little bit of wholewheat cous cous for my boyfriend who isn't following the diet.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

2012-01-04T20:58:00.003Z

It's been ages since I did an outfit post, but I love this outfit (and I thought I should take a break from all that Diet talk) - it makes me feel like a Russian princess. That is the look I try to go for in winter - all big fur hats and stoles.

These photos were actually taken a couple of weeks ago on my birthday (19th December, just before Christmas), I was outside the Science museum, my boyfriend had taken the day of work and we both went to play with the interactive exhibitions. We then went for a stroll around Winter Wonderland, in Hyde Park - which was a little bit mental. I'm not really into big fairground rides so we were thinking it wasn't really for us until we found the mulled wine!
I look a little tired, I'd been celebrating with friends a lot the previous day (and the two days before that!)

The big faux fur stole I am wearing was a gift from a friend, and I am wearing the cosiest and loveliest gloves that my mum bought me. The are from Dents, a British heritage brand, are are hand-stitched, ethical leather with cashmere lining - they keep my hands super warm! (I was so spoilt with my birthday presents this year - wait till I show you the Marc Jacobs watch my amazing boyfriend gave me!)

Sublime Eats: The South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 2

2012-01-03T21:08:00.007Z

I won't be blogging every day of my my new healthy eating regime (although it probably is pretty helpful for keeping me on track to do updates regularly!)- however I made a recipe for breakfasts that I wanted to share with you all.

It was adapted from this recipe for Egg Muffins from Kalyn's Kitchen. In case you haven't seen it before, Kalyn's blog is a treasure trove of incredible looking meal idea that are super healthy, with a strong South Beach slant - however everything looks so tasty that I would recommend it even for those who aren't dieting.

Breakfast:
2 Grilled Vegetable and Egg Muffins with a Cup of Tea and Tomato Juice.

Grilled Vegetable and Egg Muffins
(makes 12)
200g frozen grilled Mediterranean vegetables (of course you could use fresh veg too!)
a small handful of low fat grated cheese
2 spring onions
10 eggs

fry the Mediterranean vegetables for 5 minutes until they are cooked through, if using frozen they are often already in a little bit of oil so you don't need to add any more.
divide the veg between the cups of a silicone 12 muffin tray, add a little cheese into each one and do the same with the chopped spring onions. Each cup should be nearly full.
Beat the eggs until smooth and season with salt and pepper. Using a jug tip some egg mixture into each cup until it is level.
Cook for 25 - 30 minutes in a hot oven until they go golden. They will rise up.
Cool on a wire rack.
These keep for a week in the fridge and freeze well apparently.

I made my batch on Monday evening and am keeping them in the fridge for an quick and easy breakfast. Kalyn recommends microwaving them in the morning, though I don't have a microwave. I may try cutting them in half and grilling quickly though, as lovely as they were cold, on nasty winter days like today I often fancy something hot.

Morning Snack:
Babybel Light and 5 Cherry Tomatoes

Lunch:
Leftover Shepherdess Pie with Cauliflower Mash and Kale (from yesterday)

Afternoon Snack:
Celery Sticks filled with Extra Light Soft Cheese

Dinner:
Stir-Fried Peppers, Green Beans and Beansprouts in Homemade Sauce (containing a small amount of tomato juice, roasted sesame oil, garlic and ginger) and marinated tofu.

I still feel like I am eating quiet a lot, I certainly don't feel I am missing out at all! I thought it would be really strange not eating fruit but I am definitely still getting at least my 5 a day in the form of loads of veggies.

In other news - I started my new job today and it was great!
Here's to being healthy, happy and fulfilled in life and work in 2012!

Sublime Eats: The South Beach Diet - Phase 1, Day 1

2012-01-02T20:45:00.004Z

One of my new years resolutions was to get back into my healthy eating habits. Now, I don't want to loose much weight, but over the last couple of years it has crept up and my clothes are just a little bit tighter than they used to be. Also, as I am getting married next year I thought it would be worth starting to get back into a good routines now so that I don't have to end up on a crazy crash diet before the wedding!

After a very indulgent December I felt like I needed a bit of a kick start so I've decided to follow the South Beach Diet. It has three phases; the first, which lasts for 2 weeks, is super strict - no carbs, no sugar (including no fruit or juice) and definitely no alcohol! After that you can reintroduce healthy carbs such as whole grains and fruit back into your diet. The second phase is more relaxed, and you follow until you reach your target weight. Then onto stage three which is a nutritious way of eating for life to maintain a healthy weight and heart (the Doctor who created the diet is a cardiologist so it is very heart and cholesterol conscious). The diet is based on lean protein (as a vegetarian this means eggs, tofu, low fat cheese, beans and lentils) and low G.I vegetables. It doesn't rely on pre-packed expensive convenience food and encourages home cooking and proper food. When I am eating healthy normally, I eat very similar to phase two of South Beach, which is the reason I decided to give it a go. However I've never followed a diet to the letter so this is a new experience for me.

If you are interested I would really recommend getting the book (I got this one) it is cheap on Amazon. There are also some great resources online.

One of the things I find really interesting when starting a new way of eating is to see what others have eaten and how they interpret it, so I thought I would share some of my recipes and meal plans - starting with my Day 1 menu:

On South Beach you have to snack, which I am not really used to doing. This is to stabilise your blood sugar. All my meals and snacks are South Beach phase 1 approved.

Breakfast:
Pepper Hash with a Fried Egg
Serves 2,
1 yellow pepper
1/2 green pepper
2 spring onions
1 tomato
2 free-range eggs
basil

Chop the peppers and tomato and fry in a couple of sprays of FryLight, cook until soft. Add in the chopped spring onion and basil. Create two spaces in the pan for the egg and break them in. Season with salt and paper. Let the eggs fry for about 5 minutes, to finish off cooking the eggs through pop the whole pan under the grill for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
I served this with whole meal toast for my boyfriend, I had it just as it was (and it was delicious!)

Morning Snack:
Cucumber sticks and a Babybel light

Lunch:
My boyfriend and I went into town today and I thought trying to eat lunch out would be a nightmare - however we are lucky in London and there are lots of health food places scattered around. We went to Vantra on Soho Street, it is all vegan, organic, very healthy and very very tasty.
It works as a buffet, I went for two medium bowls - one for cold salad, which I filled with a Greek style salad with nuts instead of feta and sprouting beans, and one hot, which I filled with a lentil dhal and curried chickpeas. It was fantastic and a place I would recommend to everyone!

Afternoon Snack:
A small handful of hazelnuts

Dinner:
Vegetarian Shepard's (or Shepherdess) Pie with Cauliflower Mash and Steamed Kale.
Serves 6 (I'm saving leftovers for lunches)
1 red onion
2 garlic cloves
Dried basil
200g dried green lentils
200g of green beans chopped up
225g of vegetarian mince (I used Linda McCartney)
3 tablespoons tomato puree
300-400ml water
500g frozen cauliflower
A splash of skimmed milk
A small handful of grated low-fat cheddar cheese

Fry the onion and garlic in a couple of sprays of FryLight. Meanwhile boil lentils for 15 minutes until tender. Add the vegetarian mince to the onions and garlic and add in the basil, fry for 5 minutes and then drain the lentils and add them into the mince. Add in the tomato puree and water and season with salt and pepper. Leave to simmer.
In a separate pan boil the cauliflower for 10 minutes until very tender. Drain and mash with a splash of milk.
Put the lentil and mince mixture into a oven dish, cover with the cauliflower mash, season again and top with the grated cheese.

So far, I feel good - I don't feel like I am missing out on anything at all! Along with this food I've been drinking lots of water. Drinks can be problematic on South Beach - no alcohol, no juice (other than tomato juice), no sugar - so I will mainly be drinking just water, tea, herbal tea and soda water with squeeze of fresh lime.

Wish me luck!

Is anyone else going on a new year diet? If you have any recipes I'd love to know!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T23:25:00.003Z

Hello 2012! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year, I certainly did.

Last night we had friends round our house for a little party and it was really fun. I've never seen as many empty champagne bottles as when I was clearing up this afternoon - always a sign of a night well spent! I also didn't get out of bed till about 4.30pm and then only made it as far as the sofa. Oh well, New Years Day is the official bank-holiday for hangovers so I doubt I was the only one!

Here is a little picture of me pre-party. I made some snacks for our guests, a tomato and dill bruschetta and a cheese board alongside my home-made tomato and apple chutney and my mum's fig chutney (which is just the greatest thing ever!).

I was wearing a black velvet maxi dress, a vintage leather belt and the new Marc by Marc Jacobs watch that my amazing boyfriend bought me for my birthday, which was just before Christmas.

I'm very excited about the coming year. 2011 did start out that great for me, I had a nasty case of flu over New Year, plus an wisdom tooth infection that led to me having to have them extracted under general anaesthetic in hospital. Also my work situation was unstable and in a bit of a flux. However, the year greatly improved and of course the highlight was that I got engaged at the beginning of November.

Now, I am starting an amazing new job on January 3rd which I am so excited about and I have a year of wedding planning to look forward to!

Of course I am making some new years resolutions. I thought I should blog about them to make them public might help me keep them!

My Resolutions:

1. Get back into eating healthy.
I was being so super healthy up until I got engaged in November, then I was too busy celebrating to worry about what I was eating, then November became December and it's my birthday and Christmas and it all just went out the window! I've put a few pounds back on and ideally I would like to loose a stone. I've decided to do the South Beach Diet as I like eating the whole food way. I've never really followed a diet to the letter so it will be a new experience. I'm thinking of blogging about it a bit too and maybe sharing some recipes. The first two weeks are really strict - no carbs, no sugar (including fruit and juice!) and no alcohol but after that its much more relaxed. I'm starting tomorrow!

2. Save money for the wedding.
Turns out weddings are bloody expensive and neither of us have savings. So we are starting now. We will be putting aside a bit each month which over the next 18 months will add up to enough.

3. Keep thinking ethically about clothes.
In February last year I set myself a challenge for a year to only buy ethical or second hand clothes. I've pretty much stuck to it religiously. I still have a month to go on my challenge, but I don't want to go back to my old ways. I want to continue to avoid sweatshops whenever possible.

4. Make some clothes myself.
I made some cushions for my family for Christmas and I loved getting out my sewing machine. I really want to have a go at sewing myself some clothes - must be great to wear something you have created!

I'll keep everyone updated with my progress!

What are you resolutions?

Happy 2012! xxx

Sublime Finds: Egle Liberyte

2011-12-15T22:33:00.003Z

Just browsing Etsy, I came across this beautiful leather collared dress from Egle Liberyte. I love the simple style of it, the edgy detailing. It is oh so cool.

Egle Liberyte only has a few pieces up on her store at the moment but I will definitely be keeping an eye on it. I really hope the collection grows as I'd love to see more.

Dream Party Dresses

2011-12-15T11:32:00.004Z

Tis the season to be jolly. In four days it is my birthday, quickly followed by Christmas and New Year's Eve. I really love this time of year - it is definitely a time for celebrating. Celebrations of course equal party dresses. If I could, I would wear all of these dresses throughout the festivities.

Typical me, my selection is full of LBDs, velvet and jewel colours. I am very into emerald green and burgundy this year.

1.Velvet Underground by All My Finds, £45 available here.
2. Erin Mesh and Velvet Dress by American Retro, £77.50 available here.
3. Vintage Silk Sequin Dress by Mint Vintage, £95 available here.
4. Draped Jersey Dress by MCQ Alexander McQueen, £250 available here.
5. Polka Face by All My Finds, £50 available here.
6. Casidaz Silk-Back Jersey Dress by Malene Birger, £135 available here.

These are the dresses I'll be dreaming of this Christmas. What are yours?

Sublime Cooks: Fig and Stilton Tart

2011-12-13T17:28:00.003Z

This is a perfect Christmas recipe for vegetarians, though all will love it. I made it to take to a Christmas meal that my friend was hosting. I was the only vegetarian so offered to help out and bring a dish. Obviously Christmas is all about sharing though, so I made plenty to go around and everyone ended up having a slice along side the roast. It went down really well and was super easy so I thought I'd share it.

I like my Christmas food to be indulgent and seasonal, this fits the bill perfectly.

I have to admit I didn't make the pastry myself, personally as lovely as it is to make shortcrust, I really think there are better things to do with ones time that slave over puff pastry - life is just to short! Besides, the ready-made stuff is really good.

Of course, instead of Stilton you could use any blue cheese (I was just feeling patriotic) and if you're not a fan of the blue then goats cheese would also work really well.

Fig and Stilton Tart:
Makes 1 tart (feeds 5-6)
About 250g ready made puff pastry (half a packet of Jus Rol)
Half a red onion
half a leek
2 cloves of garlic
a generous pinch of dried basil
a big glug of olive oil
100ml (ish) of cream
1 large free range egg
about 200g of Stilton
2 fresh figs

Roll out the pastry and line a greased tart tin. Cover the base with a square of greaseproof paper and baking beads if you have them (I don't, so my top tip is to use rice instead - you can even still use it after!)
Bake in a pre-heated oven (gas mark 6) for about 25 mins, until slightly golden. Remove the paper and baking beads and put back in the oven for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile fry the onion in oil, once it is soft, add the basil, garlic and leeks - fry together for a further 5 minutes. Add the egg and cream and mix so that the egg yoke is broken up and is blended with the white and the cream. Bring the mixture all together and warm through. Season well with salt and pepper.

Poor the mixture into the pastry case. Break up the cheese and distribute it over the tart. Slice the fig and place these on top.

Bake it all in the oven for 20 minuets.

Can be eaten hot or cold.

Makes a great substitute for turkey as part of a Christmas dinner, or a great lunch on its own with some salad. It was really quick and easy but feels really special - perfect for this time of year!

Sublime Makes: Lino Cut Christmas Cards

2011-12-09T14:29:00.004Z

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

I've been getting ever-so crafty this year in the run up to Christmas. I love this time of year and there is no better way to get in a festive mood than by making your own Christmas cards.

I love sending and receiving cards, and it is nice to know that the ones I give out will be totally unique. I also had great fun making them. I didn't want to spend ages on them and also wanted it to be relatively cheap. So I decided the best thing to do would be to create a lino cut printing block, so I could reuse it for each card.

Lino printing is really easy. My top tip would be to buy soft lino - it just means it is a lot easier to work with. I had lino cutting tools already but if you don't you can pick up a decent set for a few pounds.

Next you need to work out what design you want on your card. It is best to pick something simple, especially if you haven't done much block printing before. I love the romance of Christmas so went for a mistletoe print.

Draw the design onto your lino.
Remember that when you cut out the lino, all that is cut will be white (or the colour of the paper you are printing on) and all that is left will be the colour of your ink.

As I had mistletoe as my design I bought a green block printing ink.

Once I had cut my lino I used a small printing roller to apply the ink to the block and them placed in ink-side down onto pre-made cards (that I picked up for a few pounds on ebay).

To insure the ink prints evenly press the back of the card with a large spoon.

Then peel of the lino - and you will have your first card!

Re-ink the lino block and repeat for each card.

Leave them to dry overnight before putting the cards into envelopes.

There is a certain level of imperfection in this type of printing by hand, which means that each card is different. I think this really adds to the homemade charm.

I'm so pleased with how they turned out.

What are your favourite methods for making cards?

A Proposal

2011-11-06T17:42:00.006Z

If you follow me on twitter you may have seen this photo already, but I have to share it again....

I just got engaged!

The ring is from 1963, 18 carat gold with a large garnet and cluster of diamonds. I love it more than anything!

On Friday evening my boyfriend took me for a surprise meal at Nopi. It is a restaurant I've wanted to visit for ages - I love the chef Yotem Ottolenghi who is behind it. The food we ate was incredible. Once dinner was cleared and we were sitting and drinking the rest of the wine my boyfriend got down on one knee, pulled this ring out of his pocket and asked me to marry him! Of course I said yes and started to cry immediately! He said he was trying to be discreet however the lovely staff in the restaurant clearly noticed as they quickly arrived with glasses of bubbly for us. It was all so perfect.
We then went back home, picking up a bottle of Moet on the way to toast our new engagement! I can't stop staring at the ring. It is just so beautiful. And no, I didn't paint my nails to match. By weird coincidence I had painted them that colour earlier in the day!

Sublime Cooks: Halloween Menu

2011-11-02T09:32:00.002Z

I've been thinking for a while that I'd like to diversify what I feature on my blog. I love fashion, but it is no means my only (or instead biggest) passion. I did a craft post the other day, but what I love more than anything is cooking tasty and beautiful meals for people I care about. So I have decided to post some of my recipes and foody creations on my blog.

My boyfriend was away this weekend just gone so we didn't get to go to any Halloween parties together, however he was home in time for actual All Hallows Eve on Monday. So I decided to celebrate with a special themed meal and a scary movie.

A Sublime Halloween Menu

Starter:
Bloody Mary Soup with Horseradish Cream
Main:
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Mini Pumpkin with Warm Lentil Salad

Bloody Mary Soup with Horseradish Cream

Makes about 5 servings

1kg ripe tomatoes

3 cloves garlic

Half a red onion
A splash of olive oil

A few sprigs of fresh thyme
A mug of vegetable stock (I use Marigold Bullion Powder to make my stock)

A glug of Tabasco

A glug Worcestershire Sauce (I used a vegetarian variety that I found in Waitrose)

4 or 5 capfuls of vodka
2 tablespoons Quark (Quark is an amazing 0% fat cream cheese, it is great in cooking but you can always use double cream if you can't find it)
1 teaspoon horseradish sauce

Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Roughly chop the onion and garlic and fry in the oil for about 5 minutes until soft. Add in the leaves from the thyme - be careful not to include any woody stalks.
Chop the tomatoes into quarters and add to the pan. I think life is too short for peeling tomatoes, but if you want to, do this before you add them. Cook for about 5-10 minutes over a high heat until the tomatoes start to soften and break down.
Add in the mug of stock.
Blend with a stick blender until smooth.
Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add in the Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco and vodka to taste (I like it hot so went a bit crazy with the Tabasco), season to taste and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Meanwhile mix the Quark and horseradish sauce together.

Divide the soup into bowls and soon the horseradish cream into the centre of each serving.

Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Mini Pumpkin with Warm Lentil Salad
Pumpkins serves 2, the lentil salad makes roughly 4 servings (I like to have leftovers for lunches)
2 Miniature pumpkins (Called Munchkins apparently) or acorn squashes. I used acorn squash as they only had one Munchkins left in the shop.
A drizzle of olive oil
1 tub of Ricotta
2 handfuls of frozen spinach
half a red onion
1 clove of garlic
Roughly 10-15 fresh sage leaves shredded
Some grated nutmeg

For the Lentil Salad
250g dried brown lentils
1 red onion
A small bunch of Dill
A splash of balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons of tomato puree
Half a mug of vegetable stock

Cut the tops off the pumpkins and scoop out all the seeds and membranes. Drizzle the inside with olive oil, place the tops back on and bake in a hot pre-heated oven (my oven was at gas mark 7) for 40 minutes. Keep an eye on them though, my oven needs to be really hot, yours might not need to be, don't burn them!

While they are cooking put the lentils in a large pan and cover with cold water, bring to the boil and simmer for 25 minutes or until they are tender.
Fry the onion in a little olive oil and when the add in the cooked lentils. Add the tomato puree, balsamic vinegar and vegetable stock. Stir to combine the ingredient together. Chop in the dill and simmer. You want the stock to reduce down so the lentils have a coating of tomato sauce but aren't to runny - should take about 10 minutes.

To make the stuffing for the pumpkin fry the onion and garlic in a pan until soft. Add in the sage leaves and then the frozen spinach and cook down until it has thawed. Grate in nutmeg to taste, add all of the ricotta, stir and season to taste.

5 minutes before the pumpkins are finishes, take them out of the oven, add in the stuffing and them return to the oven to finish cooking.

To serve place the lentil salad on the plate and then top with one stuffed pumpkin.

Of course this was all served up with a large helping of horror movie in the shape of The Beyond. A classic Italian Giallo Horror from 1981. It was incredibly gory!

Happy Halloween.
Cx

Aussie Anniversary Party

2011-11-01T19:13:00.005Z

On Saturday night, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Anniversary party. I've been to a few Aussie parties before and they are always amazing. This one might have been the best yet!
The best part is getting to hang out with some lovely bloggers. Before we even arrived at the party Hayley, Sarah, Lil and I all met up for cocktails.

The party was held at the Century Club in Soho and we were welcomed with champagne and canapes. There were hairstylist, make-up artists and nail technicians on hand to make us beautiful. The lovely Amber Rose gave me a head of full curls, which I loved and lasted all weekend (the Aussie hairspray she used is super-strong!) and my nails were manicured and painted a very Halloween-y blood red.

Thank you to Aussie, 1000heads and all the wonderful bloggers I got to hang out with. Can we do it again soon please?

The dress I was wearing was a Christmas last year, it is full length navy velvet and I love it. I've been waiting for ages for it to be cold enough again for me to be able to wear it.

A special thank you to Sam Witney, the photographer on the night and Sarah who also took some pictures of me - I am a bad blogger and couldn't find my camera! Sarah thinks my blogger license should be confiscated for my lack of ever having a camera (and then I confirmed it by admitting that I don't even like cupcakes all that much - I'm the worst blogger ever!)

Sublime Makes: Autumn Leaf Roses

2011-10-29T15:27:00.003+01:00

I saw this autumn leaf bouquet DIY project on Design Sponge the other day and have been dying to have a go at making my own ever since. I love having fresh, seasonal flowers in the house and this is a really cute and easy idea for an autumnal display that will last for ages. It's been a while since I did anything crafty, so when walking home from the gym this morning, kicking my way through all the golden leaves on the ground, I decided that today was the day!

All you need is 8-10 large sycamore leaves per rose, pick ones that have just fallen so aren't too dried.
Florist tape - I ordered some on eBay for 99p a couple of weeks ago
Scissors
twigs to use as stems, one per rose

Fold the first leaves points in on themselves.
Then wrap the folded in leave, in another leaf - keeping the ends folded in each time. Repeat with the remaining leaves, building up the body of the rose. Keep the 'petals' tucked in. Once the rose has reached your desired size, pinch the end of the leaves together with with twig and beginning to wrap with florists tape. Wrap the whole twig in the florist tape and voilá!

I'm ever-so pleased with them!
Thanks very much Design Sponge.

Sunday Style on Brick Lane

2011-10-29T00:27:00.004+01:00

One of my favourite things to do on a sunday is to go to Brick Lane. These photos were taken a couple o weeks ago on one such trip. The Sunday Upmarket is one of my favourite shopping experiences - I love the mix of young designers and vintage stalls. Also I am now really into the antiques and vintage homewears market that is the other side of the road (I must be growing up - I'm more into funiturre and picture frames than I am party dresses).

The onset of autumn means I've been able to dig out some old favourites from the wardrobe, including my stole and floppy hat, plus some new bits - like my 1970s style flairs, picked up on ebay (I finally found the jeans I love!) and my new Bertie boots (Bertie are one of the few high-street brands to have a decent ethical policy - luckily they do the best high street shoes too!). I felt very studio 54 in this outfit.

I bought my jacket in the Covent Garden Rokit on my lunch break the other day, it said Estée Lauder on the label. I was confused, having no idea that the famous cosmetics company had branched into clothing too, until my boyfriend pointed out that it was probably the uniform the girls had to wear on the make-up counters! Still it had a great 1960s shape with cute 3/4 length sleeves and makes a nice change from a standard blazer.

Sublime Finds: All My Finds

2011-10-27T22:11:00.006+01:00

I love my vintage, however even I have to admit that often the retro boutiques in London are full of nasty, misshapen and worn out dresses that were probably never in style and definitely aren't any more. I like to think that 'vintage' has an essence of quality - rather than just tatty old second hand and get rather annoyed when a nasty nylon sack is passed off as a 'vintage classic' - however I'm also massively worried about the amount of textile waste in this country and want all old clothes to be used and appreciated somehow. People give up on and throw away clothes way to quickly these days. If only there was a solution to these two problems of mine......

New site All My Finds might just been the answer. The very stylish and talented Laura and Nola, have been scouring the country for those vintage items that need a bit of love and with a make-do-and-mend attitude they create new, modern garments - each totally unique. Totally up-cycled = totally ethical.

My favourites are above. Sadly the white dress has sold already I wish I'd got in their quicker! I also really love the shirts with cut sleeves - as they put it "take one boyfriend shirt and cut out the sleeves for a new take on a (stolen) classic."

I must declare an interest. Nola and Laura are both friends of mine. This is a new project for them and I am super excited about it as they are both really creative. The All My Finds collection is growing all the time and they are also going to be showcasing a range of unchanged vintage gems along side the main collection. Definitely one to watch.

Holiday, Holiday: Ovacik, Turkey

2011-10-09T11:28:00.004+01:00

So. I've bee absent again. Works has been very busy (in a very amazing and exciting way) and I've started a new fitness regime that means I'm going to the gym 4 times a week, and you know - sometimes real life just gets in the way of blogging.
One of my other major distractions has been this....

My recent holiday to the beautiful South West coast of Turkey. Hot hot hot weather, relaxing, swimming in the sea, yummy Turkish food, exploring ruins, boat trips, sitting by the pool, cocktails and all with my wonderful boyfriend. It was the most perfect week ever.

Normal posting will resume.
C xx

Time To Celebrate - Aussie Givaway

2011-08-22T20:40:00.005+01:00

Lets Have a Party!

It's the summer!
I'm going on holiday soon!
I bought an orange dress on ebay!
These are some of my current reasons to celebrate (yes, an orange dress - I never wear such colourful stuff, it's a big step).

As you may or may not know, I am an Aussie Angel - which basically means I get to go to some amazing events and hang out with some amazing bloggers, who also happn to be some of the loveliest girls in the world (especially Amy, Reena, Ellie, Hayles, Tor and Fiona). Now, I don't want anyone to think I am sopnsered by Aussie - I'm not. I can say what I want and write about what I want. I happn to love Aussie products and used them way before I was an 'angel'. I approached by a lot of brands and 99.99% of the time I ignore them because they are rubbish. But Aussie are great and they organise some AMAZING parties.

Now the chance to join in the Aussie celebrations is open to you!

I also have 7 Aussie Summer Party Packs to give away! The pack will include your choice of product from the new limited-edition anniversary ranges.
Then all those who win a pack (including those won from other blogs) will have the chance to take part in a challenge, with the chance to win 10 tickets for them and their friends/followers to attend a hug party on Saturday, October 29th in London!

You may have seen this compilation come and go on other blogs. My party pack from Aussie got lost in the post the first time round so I am little late in posting, and therefor have been given special permission extend my closing date until middnight on wesnsday 24th August. That still only gives you two days so get your entris in now! Remember I have 7 packs to giv away!

To win you just need to tell me why you are celebrating - it can be anything - you got a great haircut, picked up a bargin, got a promotion at work....so many reasons to party!

To enter:
- You must be following this blog on google conncet or bloglovin'
- Post a comment with your reason for celebrating and a link to your blog, twitter or your email, so I can gt in touch with you.

My seven winners as well as the chance to win a VIP pass to the next event, can choose one product from the following ranges (to be included in their party pack).

Take The Heat range – shampoo, conditioner, 3MM, heat-protection cream, heat-protection spray – For beautifully blow-dried hair wrap these products around your locks. Miracle Moist – Shampoo, conditioner, 3MM – These heavenly products infuse moisture into dry damaged hair, leaving hair quenched, luscious, smooth and conditioned faster than you can say ‘shine on me’.

Miracle Moist – Shampoo, conditioner, 3MM – These heavenly products infuse moisture into dry damaged hair, leaving hair quenched, luscious, smooth and conditioned faster than you can say ‘shine on me’.

Luscious Long – Shampoo, conditioner, 3MM, leave-in conditioner – Blended with wonderful lovelies like Blue Mountain Eucalyptus extract, these products help transform weak, distressed hair into luscious locks.

Please read the Ts and Cs:
1. This competition is open to the Aussie Angels online communities
2. Winners must be UK Mainland residents and aged 18 years or over
3. Winners of the giveaway are to be chosen by Aussie Angels
4. To enter, community members must write a blog post, OR comment on an Angels’ Giveaway blog post, stating how they qualify for a Summer Party pack
5. To qualify for winning the Summer party pack, they must have something to celebrate (there are no restrictions on their reasons for celebration)
6. Selection criteria: Each Aussie Angel will select their own 7 community member winners. Selection is entirely at each Angels discretion
7. The Promoter will not be liable for applications not received, incomplete, delayed or damaged. Last date for receipt of entries is Friday 19 August 2011
8. There will be up to 7 winners per Aussie Angel
9. Winners must be chosen and notified in writing, by the Angels, by Tuesday 23 August 2011*
10. The Angels must also notify Aussie, in writing, who they have chosen, by Tuesday 23 August 2011*
11. A list of the prize winners will be available on www.uncoveraussie.co.uk after this date.
12. The prizes are as stated and cannot be transferred, sold or exchanged. There is no cash alternative. Only one prize per household. No bulk or third party entries accepted
13. Summer Party packs will be sent by Aussie, and all delivery costs covered by Aussie
14. By entering this competition, entrants agree to be bound by the rules and by any other requirements set out in the promotional material.
* dates have been extended

Fringing and Demin

2011-08-22T10:00:00.000+01:00

I hardly ever wear jeans. I don't feel that comfortable in them normally - I am very much a skirts and dresses kind of girl. I'm much better at getting dressed up than looking casual. It was actually the fringed jacket that inspired me to dig out the denims. I love this jacket - but have only really worn it with party dresses, so it mostly sits at the back of my wardrobe feeling ignored. However I went to the pub on Friday night with my friend Corinne, who has the same jacket, and I realised how great it looked teamed with her black greens and sheer shirt. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and I hope she thinks that too! As soon as I got home I riffled through all my clothes to find those long forgotten jeans and the not-nearly-worn-enough fringed jacket and ta-da!

Though I'm still not 100% sold on jeans, I do think I feel cooler in them. If I'd worn this jacket with a skirt for a simple walk to the park on a Sunday, I'd have felt much to try-hard. But in jeans it felt right. I think my main problem with them may lie with the shape. I'm not too sure skinny is really the cut for me - though it has reigned supreme in the style stakes for so long. I'm considering getting a pair of 1970s style flairs and turning this pair into cut-of shorts for my holiday.

Wearing:
Jeans - H&M
Shoes - ASOS
Top - vintage via Ebay
Bag - Chloe
Fringed Jacket - Kate Moss for Topshop
Necklace - gift

Little Bean

2011-08-21T10:22:00.003+01:00

Rock n Roll heir, daughter of grunge - that little bean, Frances Cobain is all grown up now.

Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love's daughter, Frances Bean Cobain turned 19 this week. She has lead a relatively private life so far (quiet impressive when you think who her mother is!) rarely giving interviews and doing photo-shoots.
She always seemed amazingly normal and grounded. I can't imagine the life she has had - the rock n roll world she was born into, her father's death before she turned two, the Hollywood lifestyle - her god-parents include Drew Barrymore and Michael Stipe, and her troubled relationship with her mother - she's been taken in to care in the past and recently took a restraining order out against her.

I am a huge fan of Nirvana and of Kurt Cobain, I have been since I was about 13 and he has been a huge influence on my life. And I love Hole too, so I was really interested to see these new photos taken by Hedi Slimane of Frances suddenly looking incredible. I guess that is just what comes from being 19 and no longer a baby - but look at her! Stunning.

You can really see both her parents in her. I think she is really beautiful and interesting looking. The photos are very much in Hedi Slimane's trademark black and white, stark and edgy style and it really suits Frances' brooding looks. The pictures were released on Hedi's blog on the 2nd of August.

The Swimwear Dilemma

2011-08-16T21:01:00.004+01:00

I am currently completely distracted by the thoughts of Turkey. In the not too distant future I shall be sitting on a beach or by a pool in the Mediterranean sunshine. It has been 3 years since I went on a proper hot holiday and a stressful few years mixed with some very so-so British summers mean I am currently chomping at the bit to get on that plane!

Though there are a couple of things worrying me - I am not very good at dressing in the sun. Whilst I love nothing more that being outside when it is hot, my style is definitely more suited to the colder months. My love of velvet and leather says it all really.

My last beach holiday was to Barcelona, 3 years ago - where the photos below were taken. Then I was wearing a black one-piece swimsuit from American Apparel. With my pale skin I really stood out against all those tanned bodies in brightly coloured itsy-witsy bikinis. I remember at the time thinking I looked really fat - Now unless I loose about a stone in the next month I won't even be able to get into that cossie!

So, feeling a little fat and a little apprehensive I am faced with the possibly task of investing in some new swimwear.

As someone who isn't used to sitting round the pool, I'm also not that used to swimwear - I don't really know what suits me. I also don't have that much money (I spent it all on the holiday itself), and since I took up my ethical challenge, my options are rather more limited. Is it possible to get ethical, affordable, flattering and fashionable swimwear?! I'd really love to wear a bikini, but don't really know if I have the confidence. I currently weight more than I'd like to and I unless I eat nothing for the next few weeks I'm probably not going to be able to change that! I need help!

Here are a couple of things that have taken my fancy:

1. Vintage black studded bikini from Cuss Vintage on Etsy, 2. Handmade black dolly bikini from CherriesSwim on Etsy, 3. Printed silk bikini Tara Matthews at The Outnet (though can you go in the sea in 100% silk?) 4. Fair&True African print bikini from Fashion-Conscious 5. Polka dot bikini by Katharine Hamnett Beach for YOOXYGEN

I'd also love to have this towel.

What do you think I should do? What is the most flattering?

Wednesday Friday

2011-08-15T21:19:00.003+01:00

Boot sales must be the most satisfying ways of shopping. You may have to search through a lot of awful misshapen t-shirts and nasty nylon, but when you do find a gem amongst the dregs, it all becomes worth while.

This weekend I went to a couple of different sales and I found some great bargains. Firstly, I went to have lunch with my grandparents in Kent, while in the local town, my Nannie and I popped into the church hall for a 'nearly new' jumble sale in aid of a children's hospice. I picked up a black pleated wrap-around skirt for £2 and a nude cable knit jumper for 50p! Amazing! They even tried to give me a discount when I went to pay, though given it was for charity I thought it only right to pay the full price! Unfortunately I can't show you these things yet as I wasn't heading straight home, so my Nannie kindly offered to send them to me. I'm sure they will turn up on here soon though.

Then after spending the night at a friends birthday in (my home town) Brighton, I went along to the new Sunday jumble sale held at the racecourse in town. It isn't as good as the more established Brighton Sunday Market (that used to be by the station and is now held in the Marina) however, it starts at a more hangover friendly 11am (as apposed to 6!). I stupidly forgot to take any cash, so my budget was limited to the change in my boyfriends pocket - but I found this amazing silk dress -

I love it. Mainly because it makes me feel like Wednesday Addams - which is always a good thing! It is also something I could wear to work, wear to a party, wear to the pub - you get the idea. The perfect black dress - good for any occasion. It is made of 100% pure silk and cost me all of £3!

You might notice I look a little pink - when we set off on Sunday morning it was cloudy and raining, then it suddenly broke and was blazing sunshine. I was ill-prepared, with no sun cream and I got a little bit burnt - oh dear!
These pictures were taken just outside the amazing Aubin Cinema, where I went on Sunday night. It is one of my favourite places in London.

Of course as well as being amazing cheap (three things I love for £5.50!) boot sale shopping ticks all my ethical boxes - it is basically recycling in it's simplest form. Think - if we don't buy them these clothes could end up in a skip! Get to your local car boot asap!

The Family Album

2011-08-12T11:00:00.001+01:00

This week at work I created a tumblr to share some amazing inspirational vintage photographs. The set that I've just put up celebrates the 'Great British Weekend' - road trips, holidays and rolled-up trousers on the beach all included! All the pictures posted so far come from the family archives of the team in the office, and some are from my own family.

The pictures my mum dug out for me are so special I thought I'd show some on here too. Look how stylish my relations were!

If you want to have a look at the tumblr please click this link.

This picture is of my Mum (yes, that's her in the middle!) and my Nannie and Grandpa. They are outside the garage that they owned with a beautiful old DS citroen, it was taken in 1968/69.
Look at what my Nannie is wearing - check out that turban! I love it.
One of my favourite pieces of jewellery is a really stylised rose-quartz and silver necklace that my Nan gave me for my birthday a few years back, my Grandpa gave it to her in the early 1960s - before they were married. It came from a fashionable London boutique and like that necklace, this photo reminds me just what a stylish lady my Nannie was!

This is my Great-Grandpa with my Great-Aunt on her wedding day, it was around 1920. I love her wedding dress. It would have been so fashionable at the time and it still looks amazing today. In fact it really reminds me a lot of Lily Allen's wedding dress (which I loved).
I really love 1920s style but the drop waists don't really suit me and my big hips. I wonder what mu style would have been lived if I'd lived through the time - I know I would have definitely enjoyed the dancing and the cocktails associated with the jazz age!

This picture was taken in 1935. The man standing at the front left, with the beaten-up leather trench is my grandpa. He was already in his 50s when my mum was born so I only ever knew him as an old man. Here is his pictured with his motorcycle club and I think he looks really handsom.
I don't often talk about menswear on this blog - but didn't they look ace in the 1930s.

A New Perspective: Africa Fashion Week London 2011

2011-08-10T21:53:00.005+01:00

On Saturday I was lucky enough to be invited along to the first ever annual Africa Fashion Week London. It was a fantastic celebration of African style and talent, with a mixture of designers who had flown in specially and others based in the UK and Europe who were exploring their heritage through design.

I attended with a group of other fashion bloggers, we were invited along by Comic Relief as part of the See Africa Differently campaign. The aim of which is to open eyes to all the positives elements of African society. There is a lot more to the continent that famine, disease and corruption, however when one thinks of Africa, these are so often the associations. Comic Relief want to focus on all the good it has to offer - thriving business, exciting fashion, art, sport, theatre and food.
There are a whole range of events coming - do check their website for details

It was really eye opening, as I have to admit that I didn't really know all that much about African fashion before the event. I was astounded by creativity and diversity on offer. There were dressed I loved and, as with all fashion shows, things I wasn't so keen on. But the most exciting thing was I learn about loads of really talented designers. It was a really eclectic display with each designer having their own distinct style. In general my favourite pieces where those that mixed traditional African heritage fabrics with modern silhouettes.

I have to mention the models, it was fantastic to see a range of shapes on the catwalk. While most where very slim and hugely tall, they weren't exclusively and they all had bums and thighs and they looked amazing. The clothes looked better for being on real bodies. It felt like real celebration of womanhood and beauty, especially when compared with the emaciated shadows of girls that are sadly still prevalent on the LFW catwalks.

I would like to thank all the lovely bloggers who I got to hang out with (see the picture above!) especially Sarah, Philippa, Kristabel, MJ, Frankie, Emily and Reena - and also to Comic Relief and 1000heads for inviting me along.

Check out the Africa Fashion Week London website for a full list of designers.

A Note On London

2011-08-10T19:59:00.005+01:00

We are living in sad and scary times in England right now. As a Londoner, I've had to watch in hopeless horror as my city was torn apart by rioters.
It started localised in Tottenham, as a genuine protest that turned violent, then it spread and the reasons for the original anger was forgotten, taken over by mindless greed and destruction. Our society is deeply troubled and there are far too many underlying issues and debates for me to possibly try to cover on this lowly style blog. What I can say though is that while glued to the rolling BBC news on Monday night I was scared in a way that I've never felt before in this city. It was surreal. On Tuesday I was sent home from work early, my area (Kings Cross/Bloomsbury), which had until that point remained quiet, was rumored to be on the 'hit list'. When I arrived home 20 police officers were on my little street, stopping and searching all the local kids - I was told to walk a different route - "but I live here" I said, they assured me if I stayed in I would be safe. In the end, with the extra 10,000 police on the streets on that evening everything in London was quiet. Now everything seems much calmer and I hope that the worst is behind us.
My thoughts are with all those in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Wolverhampton and all the other places affected.

If there is a positive in this story it is the show of community spirit from those helping with the clean-up and care in the aftermath. I have so far been unable to help with the physical clean-up as I'm working during the day, but if you have time - please help.
I am tonight, working out the best way to donate food, clothing and blankets to those who have been left homeless.

Please help if you can.
Twitter - @riotcleanup
www.riotcleanup.com

Welcome Back

2011-08-07T13:00:00.002+01:00

Wow. It's been a while - I am a bad blogger a deserve a slap on the wrist. However, my blog is just a hobby and sometimes life gets in the way. I've started an amazing new job and it's been a no-stop couple of months. I also had to seriously cut down all spending and was therefor desperately trying not to think to much about clothes! But I'm back. I've missed it.

I want to keep this post short and sweet. I have lots of exciting things to blog about over the next week but for now I want to share my new favourite outfit. It was also my first purchase after nearly 3 months of no clothes shopping (something of a record for me I think!) I picked it up in the Net-A-Porter sale and it was a bit of a bargain.

Last weekend we went to a friend's wedding in Portmeirion in North Wales. It is the most beautiful place - a tiny village designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between the 1920s and 1970s. It was based on Renaissance Italy, but has hints of eastern mysticism scattered around too - it is a beautiful place, unlike anywhere else I've ever been. It was also used as the set for cult 1960s TV show The Prisoner. The wedding was perfect, the location stunning. We had a fantastic weekend.

Wearing:
Dress - Carvan
Shoes - Emma Cook for Topshop
Tights - Tabio
Bag - Vintage

IOU

2011-05-16T21:23:00.007+01:00

I was really excited when I first got an email explaining the IOU Project.

It is a new concept in ethical clothing, where each piece is a one-off, has it's own story and you can tack the providence back to the crafts-person who wove the fabric.
Their website has just launched online and they have created an initial collection of timeless casual pieces that are all about stylish comfort rather than trend-lend fashion. The look-book photos of the models, wearing the garments, look young, fresh and exciting - which is something that a lot of ethical brands don't seem to manage.
The clothes themselves are very casual. To be honest I am not much of a checked shirt kinda girl, however I know a lot of people who love to wear these sort of styles - and they do look great. But I will keep the website bookmarked as they have only just started out and will be adding loads of new designs as time goes on. At the moment, I'm much more into the mens wear (I mean, who doesn't love a man in plaid).

I love vintage because I like to imagine the story behind the clothes - who wore this dress before me, did they have an amazing night out, did hey go out on a date with the love of their life - it is very easy to get carried away with the romanticising. All the clothes from the IOU project are new, but you still get to know about what happened to the garments before they arrived in your hands - when you buy something you find out not only where and by who the piece was manufactured (always by crafts people in great sweatshop-free factories) but who created the fabric. IOU really celebrate the skills of everyone involved in creating the clothes. It is such a fantastic idea - so simple, yet so different from anything else on the market!

I am really excited by what the IOU Project are doing, and definitely will keep up as the website grows and develops.
Please also go and check them out! Visit their website - IOU Project

Flora and Fauna

2011-04-25T21:27:00.004+01:00

I am not a floral kind of girl. I am much more at home in black velvet - but of course there is an exception to prove that rule!

I bought this dress years ago from Warehouse. At the time it was all over the fashion press and some celebrities had it (Mischa Barton, I think) I always thought it was beautiful. I am a sucker for a good fabric and the light silk of it just made me swoon. I am also a bit fan of dresses with long sleeves - the 1960s shape is super flattering and the flowers used in the pattern somehow don't look like the typical floral summer dress.
However I never really wore it, I'm not sure why. Then about 3 years ago I was moving house and had to put lots of stuff into storage. This dress was one of the things I decided to pack up. As well as not wearing it often, it was the depths of winter when I moved and to be honest I thought I would get everything out within a few months. That didn't happen - it stayed in that storage container for over two and a half years, until, a couple of months ago, having moved again, into a bigger place we decided to get all our stuff back.

Having clothes packed away for so long was great as it made them seem like new once I unpacked them. And after my recent blog post about not knowing how to dress in the summer - this dress seems to be the answer to my prayers.

These pictures were taken by the 'beach' on the South Bank, where my boyfriend and I wondered down to on Easter Sunday. It was baking hot and we had sushi off an outdoor conveyor belt and drank prosseco in the sun - it was the best day ever. We both felt like we were on holiday!

However I think I was right to be worried about waring the dress in case I ruined it, all those years ago as later that evening I spilt a glass of red wine all down the front. Thankfully I think I got it all out!

To stop the whole look being too girly and sweet, I was wearing a necklace featuring a rabbit bone, covered with gold leaf, that I bought at an craft market - unfortunately I can't remember the name of the designer. I like to think of it as my tribute to the Easter Bunny!
Also wearing my lovely shoes that I got at the Bertie Blogger's Event.

Wearing
Dress - Warehouse (from about 5 years ago)
Shoes - Bertie
Rabbit Bone Necklace - Craft Market
Sunglasses - Gucci

Black Milk

2011-04-16T14:33:00.004+01:00

After my last post about being unsure how to dress for the summer months as my taste, is a bit more on the dark side, I was excited this week to have discovered the ultimate in summer/goth wear. So maybe i should give up on trying to buy vintage floral dresses and just go all out for skulls and bones.
Look how amazing these swimming costumes are!

1. Ribs (Black) 2. Skull (White)
3. Resurrection 4. Birth of Venus

All swimsuits by Black Milk.

I first saw these fantastically dark swimming costumes on one of my favourite blogs, Brighton Style Memos, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about them since.

I had heard of Black Milk before, as I have seen other bloggers rocking some of her fantastic leggings. Black Milk was founded in 2009 by James Lillis, an Australian designer who wanted to make 'insane' leggings for 'Girls who wanted leggings that could pack a little more punch than the ones on offer at your average department store.' Everything was and still is handmade.
If skulls and skeletons aren't your thing, there are still loads of other designs on offer, from famous paintings to Alice in Wonderland.

I am hoping to go off on holiday at some point this year and I love the idea of sitting on a beach on a Greek Island or something, all pail and in a skull print swimsuit whilst everyone else is all brown in their brightly coloured bikinis.

All the swimming costumes and 85 Australian Dollars, which is roughly about £50 I think. Considering you are getting something hand-made I don't think that is too bad at all. And it is great to be able to support a really talented designer!

The hardest decision would be which one to get!

Summer Days

2011-04-11T13:24:00.003+01:00

Wearing:
Leather shorts - Vintage
Socks - Asos
Shoes - Carvela
Lightning bolt top - Neurotica
Bag - River Island
Sunglasses - Gucci

I don't want to jinx it - but the weather in England is just beautiful right now. After a long and hard winter we all deserve to feel the sun on our skin and I for one am loving it.

I always think that autumn is my favourite season. This is manly for sartorial reasons, I love the colours and textures that go along with the colder seasons. Most of my wardrobe is black, brown or grey and I go weak at the knees for velvet, suede and leather.

However the things that make me actually happy are all very much summer based. I like sitting in the park, eating outside restaurants, picnics and bbqs, rowing boats, drinking pimm's and looking at animals. Seriously, I am easy to please - one or all of that list and I will be over the moon.

So this weekend I have had a great time! Friday night involved dinner at a lovely Italian near my house, where we sat and had our dinner outside, enjoying the sudden onset of the heart-wave, on Saturday we went to my friend Corrine's housewarming and met her gorgeous new puppy and then on Sunday, my boyfriend I went to Regent's Park. We picked up a sushi picnic, the Sunday papers and some factor 50 and planted ourselves on the edge of the boating lake. We didn't go sailing ourselves but it was great fun to watch the people who were. Then had the first Pimm's of the summer in the garden of a pub near Primrose Hill. All very idyllic.

However - much as I love the summer, it always presents me with a bit of a problem. I don't really know how to dress. As I mentioned earlier, I tend to favour dark colours and heavy fabrics. I don't really like most floral, polka dots or nautical styles - so that rules out quiet a lot of summer dresses.
As you can see, in leather shorts and a lightning bolt top, my outfit hardly screams 'Summer Holidays!' in fact, I often think I'd be more at home on this website - gothsinhotweather.blogspot.com

This is something I really need to address if the current hot spell is to stay *fingers crossed*

Let me know if you have any suggestions for what a leather and velvet loving goth like me can wear in the sun!

FAST FASHION REHAB: Such Thing As Free Shoes?

2011-04-04T17:58:00.004+01:00

It was a mix of emotions that I faced when initially invited to the Spring/Summer 2011 Bertie Bloggers party.
Firstly huge glee and excitement. I went to the last event, for Autumn/Winter and was allowed to take home any pair of shoes I wanted. I like shoes. Even more I like free shoes.

Then my new found ethics kicked in. Oh god, what have I done!
I've banned myself from buying anything that could have been produced in a sweatshop. I have been on a strict regime of vintage and ethical since February.
But....as I said, these shoes would be FREE! Was that allowed? My moral compass was spinning.

My first port of call was to speak to my mum (of course!). She was very sympathetic and agreed that it would be great for me to have some free shoes - as I've been working very hard the last 6 months (don't you just love mums!)
She suggested that first though, I try to investigate what the Bertie policy for ethical fashion actually is. After all they are a smaller company than say, Office or Topshop. Often the smaller companies do things a bit better - and it is the larger brands that get more caught up in profit margins and cutting costs. Bertie are quiet a classy brand, with prices at the upper end of the high street - so I was keeping my fingers crossed.

After a few emails back and forth with the PR people at Bertie I was sent a copy of their policy.
Here is an excerpt:

Dune Group Ltd Code of Conduct

A) Employment is freely chosen.

i) There is no forced, bonded or involuntary prison labour.

ii) Workers are not required to lodge "deposits" or their identity papers with their employer and are free to leave their employer after reasonable notice.

C) Working conditions are safe and hygienic.

D) Child labour shall not be used.

E) Living wages are paid.

i) Wages and benefits paid for a standard working week meet, at a minimum, national legal standards or industry benchmark standards, whichever is higher.

In any event wages should always be enough to meet basic needs and to provide some discretionary income.

ii) All workers shall be provided with written and understandable information about their employment conditions in respect to wages before they enter employment and about the particulars of their wages for the pay period concerned each time that they are paid.

iii) Deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure shall not be permitted nor shall any deductions from wages not provided for by national law be permitted without the expressed permission of the worker concerned. All disciplinary measures should be recorded.

F) Working hours are not excessive.

i) Working hours complies with national laws and benchmark industry standards,

whichever affords greater protection.

G) No discrimination is practiced.

H) Regular employment is provided.

I) No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed.

Animal Products Programme

We are committed to making sure our products are from fair and ethical sources.

All suppliers must be socially responsible when using animal products.

For this reason we have introduced a ‘Declaration of Ethical Compliance for Animal Products’. This means that you must meet the following Conditions.

• You must only use leathers, skins and feathers that are by-products of the slaughter of an animal.

• You must not use products from endangered species on the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) or IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) list.

• You must not use any leather that was taken while the animal was alive.

You must keep to these conditions for the programme to work. This is a long-term programme that aims to make sure:

• animals are treated in a humane and ethical wayher.

In any event wages should always be enough to meet basic needs and to provide some discretionary income.

F) Working hours are not excessive.

i) Working hours complies with national laws and benchmark industry standards,

whichever affords greater protection.

G) No discrimination is practiced.

H) Regular employment is provided.

I) No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed.

It all sounds very well meaning and it is refreshing that Bertie are taking note of how important it is to work in ways that are both ethical and sustainable. I think more and more people are starting to care about these issue (as more and more big brands like H&M promote 'ethical' ranges, and celebrities like Emma Watson champion the cause). Not all shops are taking the hint though - Philip Greens Arcadia group, which includes Topshop, still refuse to sign up to the Ethical Trading Initiative.

So, I felt better about Bertie, knowing that they care enough to set out this code of conduct. Though obviously a lot more could be done, it is a step in the right direction and a good example to set to the rest of the high street.

I did have a couple more questions for Bertie, which have yet to be answered though, about how often they monitor the factories where their products are made and what steps do they take to ensure production doesn't get sub-contracted out to less reputable companies, who do not follow the rules. I won't be 100% happy until those questions are answered as well. but fair play to Bertie (and the Dune Group) for having some morals!

So, I did go to the Bertie Bloggers event and it was great.
I picked this beautiful pair of super high, but surprising comfortable black wedges to come home with me and I got to hang out with some of my favourite bloggers including the super cute Jazmine and frankly amazing Amy.

Amy and I, taken by the Bertie people.

The above two pictures were taken by the lovely Jazmine.
I couldn't decide what colour i liked more. When I looked down at my feet I preferred the plum, when I looked in the mirror I liked the black.
I went for the black in the end - I think I made the right choice.

Jazmine and her hot boots

Me at Bertie, wearing all vintage and my new Bertie shoes.

I hope I am not letting down my morals - but hey my shoes were free and Bertie seem to care about the conditions of their factories. No one said my journey into ethical fashion was going to be completely dilemma free! I just hope I have come out of this one ok!

Sunday Girl

2011-03-27T19:27:00.004+01:00

It has been a while since I did an outfit post.
I liked what I was wearing today as it felt comfy and relaxed but not scruffy. Considering the hangover I woke up with I think I did pretty well to look presentable at all!

After a lie-in and lazy breakfast we decided to go for a walk to soak up some of the new spring sunshine. It feels great having to dig out the sunglasses once again! We wondered through this local graveyard (the goth in me does love a good graveyard!) down to Covent Garden, where I bough some make-up in Mac and finally checked out Lily Allen's vintage shop, Lucy in Disguise.
Then onto Somerset House for the final day of the graphic art fair, Pick Me Up.
For me visiting Pick Me Up felt a little like a bus man's holiday as I work in a graphic art gallery and some of our artists were featured in it. However it was great to look round and very inspiring.

Now home, I am catching up on blogs and watching MasterChef.
Perfect Sunday!

Wearing:
Sunglasses - Gucci
Black T-Shirt - Gap
Wool Cardigan - Vintage from Berty and Gerty
Velvet Shorts - Vintage from a vintage fair
Belt - from a charity shop
Gold Necklace - a gift, years ago, from my uncle.
Shoes - Carvela

FAST FASHION REHAB: Can Second Hand Be A Step To Far?

2011-03-26T20:19:00.004Z

Picture from the Daily Mail

I love vintage clothes. I think that is well documented on this blog. And I am not adverse to a good old charity shop rummage. But there is a point where wearing old clothes becomes a bit icky - and we all have to draw our own line as to what is too much.

I remember sitting in the pub recently with my boyfriend and another male friend, talking about second hand clothes - as I had just come back from a vintage fair. I was showing off my purchases and the conversation was flowing. Both men are into there vintage shirts, t-shirts and jackets but said they would never wear second hand trousers as, well, another mans 'private parts' would have been down there - and you can't always trust the previous owner to have worn underwear each time!
These issues had never really bothered me before. Whilst I will never be rushing out to buy pre-owned knickers, I have borrowed undies from friends I'm staying with if I have forgotten my own. Does it change it if you know the place the clothes have come from. I know my friends are lovely and clean. With second hand clothes they could have come from anyone.
Saying that though - I have previously owned a a vintage swimming costume and the fact that someone else's bits had been in the gusset never really crossed my mind. After all, it was clean.

Recently there have been a couple of things I have decided I need in my wardrobe. Practical, rather than fun things. Things I don't want to spend a lot of money on.
Previously these kind of basics I would have picked up cheaply from the high street or online, however now I am under the anti-sweatshop rule my options are more limited. I hate to say it but ethical shops are more expensive (of course they are! That is the point! They are not supporting slave labour!) .

I need some leggings.
I never wear trousers. I am very much a tights girl, but I recently got some open shoes that I think would just look a lot better with leggings. Also I am going into hospital soon to have teeth taken out. I've been told to wear comfy clothes. For most people this would be easy. But I don't really own any thing comfortable (and certainly no flat shoes or slippers!) I though leggings and a jumper would be the perfect thing to wear. And lastly, I have a lot of short dresses (that are probably actually classed as tops, that can sometimes be a little indecent with just sheer nylons!
Leggings are practically part of the modern fashion uniform now - it seems strange that I have never owned a pair, but I think the time has come for me to invest.

I have also decided to start running. Maybe leggings would be useful for this too! But more importantly I need some trainers. Yes - I don't own any trainers. That is how unsporty I am.
Soon my days of working six days a week will be over and the gallery has a wonderfully relaxing start time of 10.30. Easily enough time to fit in some fitness before breakfast.
I never do any exercise and I really, really need to start. I seem to spend my whole life dieting but to be really fit you need to do both!
I can't afford the gym and the recent sunny weather has made me want to spend more time outside. A 30 minute run three times a week seems like it would be manageable and I can listen to something nice on my ipod to keep me entertained.

I have no idea where you get ethical trainers.
I tried to do a little bit of research and there are some companies who make them, but mostly they are more the Converse style. I need proper running shoes. And besides, all the new versions I saw were at least £45. Money is a little tight for me at the moment and I just can't afford that. So I started looking on ebay.

I searched ebay for both leggings and trainers, making sure I only looked at real second0hard listings - not cheap new crap being sold online by shops. Then it stuck me - is getting second hand trainers a bit gross?

Running shoes are made for running. Running = sweaty feet. However nice and clean a person might be, if you exercise you feet will sweat.
I have worn tons of pairs of vintage shoes, but there is a difference between posing in high-heels and working out!
However, I found good looking trainers on ebay, going for less than a tenner - much more my price range.

As for the leggings - I don't have such a hygiene issue with leggings but in my mind, however much the photos look fine, in my head second hand leggings will be baggy an misshapen! Well, I am bidding on a few pairs so I will report back if I win any!

As for the trainers, I still have to make up my mind.
Is it one second-hand step to far?

What Lies Beyond

2011-03-14T20:27:00.006Z

While I am clearly a fashion obsessive, I have always classed it as just a hobby. Art is my first love and always will be. Sometimes though the two things can collide in a way that is rather exciting.

Beyond The Valley are a design collective, often featured on the CoolBrands list, who work across the disciplines merging fashion, art and business.
Their London store, just off Carnaby street has been on my radar for a while, however it is through my recent work at the Outline Editions gallery that I have really got to know them.

Beyond The Valley - Butterfly Melody

Beyond The Valley - Fidrildin

Lear Gaukur 01 & 02

All of the above prints (and some more beauties) are available to buy on Outline Editions website or in the gallery which is at 94 Berwick Street in Soho.

These beautiful images, created from collages, mixes of Victorian botanical and zoological engravings with contemporary illustration additions, have all the weird darkness of a taxidermy collection, yet still manage to look light and beautiful. I love that combination!
I have to say, I am entranced every time.
However these gorgeous designs are not just destined to be displayed on the wall. There are also the textile prints for many of the items from Beyond The Valley's line of clothing.
The beautiful Butterfly Melody print above actually forms the basis for my two favourite pieces, this fringed tunic and shift dress.

For their new collection Beyond The Valley are even delving into the world of 3D!
You've seen the films, now wear the t-shirts!
The inclusion of this modern viewing method with the tradition and natural imagery used is very playful and sums up the philosophy of the brand perfectly. The title of the collection is Cosmic Tropicalia and each piece combines structure, fine art and a flirty and fun attitude - while never being to girly! These are really interesting clothes, worth getting excited about!

As well as selling their own line, the Beyond The Valley concept store also stocks other up-and-coming designers, giving a platform to the best in young design talent. If you are in London I recommend you go into their shop as it is just beautiful (if not they have a great website too) and while you are there come see their prints (and me!) at the Outline Editions gallery - we are just round the corner!

I Want Some Palazzo Pants!

2011-03-08T11:00:00.001Z

Since I started my Fast Fashion Rehab challenge just over a month ago, I hadn't faced many major obstacles (apart from the tights conundrum - I went for the American Apparel option in the end BTW. I've been to some great vintage fairs (more on that soon!) and mostly managed to avoid looking at things in high street shops.
However it is getting to that point in the season when trends start to change and new shiny things fill my thoughts.
One of the biggest trends for the spring is the 1970s. I love this look and I am throwing myself into it whole heatedly armed with low ponytails, cute shirts and a bargain-tastic suede a-line skirt.

However there is one thing that I think would complete my spring 1970s look that I don't currently have - Palazzo Pants.

These are of course, likely to be a flash in the pan trend, but right now I LOVE THEM.
I wear maxi-skirts occasionally and I always feel super elegant.
Now I am not normally a hue trousers wearer, but palazzo pants are more like extra long culottes, so look more like a long skirt.
Also, I've never felt that comfortable in skinny jeans - I do have one pair, but don't wear them often at all. I think the wider leg option might be a whole lot more flattering.

I love these ones by Richard Nicoll (third look):

(I'm also really into pleats at the moment)

If I was still buying things on the highstreet I would probably own these topshop beauties by now. But alas, my anti-sweatshop challenge has stopped all that fun.

I have been searching ebay but there are none that are nice.

Hmmmm......
I want them!

I guess if I keep searching I might be able to find some - after all it is a trend based on the 1970s - there must be some left!
If you spot any second hand (preferably pleated) palazzo pants in a size 8/10 please let me know!

FAST FASHION REHAB: The Green Carpet Challenge

2011-02-28T21:02:00.004Z

Last week was the Oscars, so for the past seven days blogs, papers and magazines have been full of talk about who wore what on the red carpet.
It seems to be generally accepted these days that the worlds biggest movie awards are as much about showcasing designer dresses as they are about the films. It is said that a top celebrity showing up on the red carpet in an emerging designers gown can transform a career.

A few weeks ago I read a piece in the Observer by eco-journalist Lucy Seigal, about Livia Firth's Green Carpet Project.
Livia Firth is the wife of Oscar, Bafta and just about everything else winner Colin, and long time supporter of sustainable fashion. As soon as the awards buzz started about her husband's film, The King's Speech, Livia knew she would be walking down a whole lot of red carpets during the awards season. She decided to use this platform to showcase only ethical dresses, by some of the best up-and-coming eco designers.

I love this challenge and it is great to see someone using the exposure of these big awards do's to do some good!
The beautiful navy blue dress by ethical designer Nina Skarra that Livia wore to Baftas is actually my favourite, though it is her Oscar dress that has really caused the most buzz.
The gown was created by master up-cycler Gary Harvey and was made out of 11 beautiful but damaged vintage dresses - all from the era of The King's Speech.
Gary Harvey used to work as a creative director at Levi, one day, when he needed something dramatic for a photo shoot he created a ballgown out of cut up pairs of jeans. Since then he has created dresses from everything from old Burberry macs to newspapers.

These pictures from her Vogue blog, show just how beautiful Livia's dress was:

I really hope this paves the way for other starts to promote ethical designers!

FAST FASHION REHAB: Like Spun Silk - Moodys

2011-02-22T22:23:00.005Z

My decision to give up all unethical, fast fashion has lead me to discover some fantastic brands.
There are a number of different ways of focusing on fashion to make it ethical. There is vintage, there is recycling and upcycling fabrics, there are up-and-coming designers who due to their small businesses have to make all their own garments and then there are tradition heritage style brands, who use crafts people and artisans, to create beautiful, timeless pieces that will be treasure for years to come.

When something is made by a craftsman (or woman!), you know that care has gone into it. This is not mass production. It is all about the taking time and using the best materials available. As it is the skills of the producer that is valued, they are paid well and treated fairly.
Also, as a customer, if you have something special, that is maybe worth a little bit more, you can keep it forever and treasure it. It is the opposite of the throw away culture, that we (definitely me!) can get so used to.

So, all this take of crafts people and heritage brands brings me to my lovely scarfs.
I was recently contacted by the lovely people at Moodys, who asked me to take a look at there website. They make mainly silk and cashmere scarfs. I was curious, so went to check it out and was delighted to find out about their ethical credentials. They have a strong focus of the locality of their fabrics. They use English silk produced in a 10th generation family-run silk weaver, and selected high-quality textile factories in the UK. Some of their production is done in China and India, however they continue to use skilled crafts people, not cheap labour, so that means no sweatshops. They are also signed up to the Ethical Trading Imitative.

However, all these good credentials can only ever mean so much on their own. I am only interested in brands who have clothes I love.
Moody, very kindly sent me a few scarfs so I could get an idea of the quality and I have to say I am so impressed. The styles are very traditional, but in a way that is classic and classy rather than boring.

First up is a pure cashmere pashmina. Not something I ever though I would own, but to stroke the gorgeous fabric is to fall in love! It is light as air and super soft. I honestly think it is the most beautiful material I have ever managed to get my hands on.
Pashminas are big, so can be worn in many different ways. However as we are in the depths of British Winter here in London (yes, still) I am still going for the easy scarf way.
The colour is overwhelming. Normally I am a bit scared of such boldness (could it be the most colourful thing ever featured on this blog?!) but I am a sucker for a good texture! Also against the grey of the teal, look so inviting and cheery!
I am in love with this pashmina. I wish I could wear just this, every day for ever!

Next is a men's silk dress scarf. I love the slightly androgynous look it gives when worn by a girl. Again, the fabric quality is outstanding.
This is made out of the silk, from that 10th generation silk making family I mentioned earlier. I love knowing the providence of an item in this way. Knowing where it was made and what happened to it before it got to me. I think it really gives you a connection to something, in the same way you do to things that are passed down in families. I often think this kind of thing about vintage clothes too - that I wish I knew the story they had to tell! If only they came with a little note detailing the event and parties the previous owner wore them too!
I think this scarf would look great in the evening worn with a shirt and high heels of a simple black dress. I like incorporating little bits of menswear into my wardrobe - which is generally quite girly! That being said, I think my boyfriend has his eye on it too!

Lastly is the fun one. This comes from the Moodys fashion range. The fabrics are not as high quality (this is polyester instead of silk or cashmere), the price is cheaper and the styles are a little more modern. This skull scarf is just perfect for me as anyone who has even glanced at this blog before, will know I have a bit of a skulls fetish!
Skull scarfs can a a little hard to do these days as there are so many rip-offs of Alexander McQueen's iconic design, however I think this one does a good job, by being different enough to not just look like a lazy copy. The little rounded skulls are really cute and you can create different looks by choosing to display them or the bigger skull and cross bones which is on the reverse side.
The fabric of this is no where near as luxurious, but the quality overall is still high. It is much better made than anything on the high street (and the fashion range retails at a high street price).
The skull scarf has pretty much not left my neck since I got it. The eagle-eyed amongst you may even have spotted it once before - in my Valentine's post!

With so many fashion brands (both high and low end) throwing ever increasing seasons, pre-seasons and cruise collections at us, it is sometimes nice to reflect on good quality items that transcend all that hysteria
I've recently started to notice I am taking a lot more care over fabrics and finishes when choosing clothes. With vintage I am shunning the cheap acyclic 80s dresses I once adores and picking up high quality items that will last years. However the same can be done with new clothes, and surely choosing quality over quantity is the basis for truly ethical fashion.

London Fashion Week A/W11: Charles Anastase

2011-02-20T13:07:00.006Z

This year I am missing all of London Fashion Week.
I am working loads at the moment (6 days a week!) and haven't really been able to take time off. I could have tried to schedule in some shows for today, Sunday. But at the moment my one day of is so precious, all I want to do is relax. The idea of running around Somerset House with all the manic fashionistas just didn't really appeal. However that isn't to say I don't miss it!

I am hugely jealous of all my fellow fashion bloggers who are out there enjoying it all. I am getting minute by minute updates via twitter and have been devouring all the catwalk report blog posts! It seems this season I am living vicariously through those who are there. Hopefully next season I will be able to take a few days off and enjoy it for myself again! I've been three times, but not for two years.

As I am not there to bring you all the news from the front line, I thought I would do something a little bit different. So I have decided to create some quick illustrations based on my favourite looks from the best of London Fashion Week.

For this first post I am looking at Charles Anastase. He is one of my favourite designers who always seems to capture the mood for the real clothes that I want to be wearing. They are not the most theatrical, but they are interesting enough to get my excited every season.
This year he had gone for sheer blouses, velvet trousers, a-line mini skirts, and beautifully cut princess coats. I love the colour palette of black, burgundy and camel.

My favourite piece was the charmeuse playsuit, it was beautiful and coquettish. The perfect mix of grown up glamour (that beautiful silk and the long sleeves) with a girlish-sexiness. The frills on the legs looking like Victorian bloomers!

Also I have been after the perfect black sheer shirt for a while. For now my ebay hunt will continue, but I will be taking my inspiration from the girls on Charles' catwalk (though - don't worry mum, I would wear something underneath mine!)

I got my inspiration images from Style.com
You can see the full show here.

FAST FASHION REHAB: And Lead Us Not Into Temptation

2011-02-16T23:15:00.009Z

So yesterday I was faced with real temptation for the first time.
(This is the Challenge I am undergoing)

Whilst at work I realised I had a free evening as my boyfriend had a band meeting. I could go home or I could see if a friend fancied an after work drink, so I texted my friend Holly.
I was working at my gallery yesterday, which is in Soho - she replied saying, yes, as she planned to come into town to get some things on Oxford Street anyway. Perfect. We would be in the same area and could meet up for a chat and maybe some dinner.

Just before I finished work I got a text from Holly, saying that she was in Topshop and maybe I should meet her in there, as long as my resolve was strong enough. She didn't want to be responsible for leading me into temptation. I was sure it would be fine. After all I can look, as long as I just don't buy!

Topshop Oxford Street is my favourite shop (that should read 'was' now I suppose). I'm still not quite over it. In my naivety I thought i would be fine going in. Of course I wasn't! Just as you would tell a recovering alcoholic to stay out of the pub, I should not have been in that shop! I coo-ed over dresses and trench coats, picking out a pair of pleated palazzo pants, that in that moment I thought I couldn't live without, I looked at the colours I likes and felt the fabrics, I held clothes up to me and paraded around in front of the mirrors.
I found the most beautiful black patent ankle boots I have ever seen (I have a bit of a black ankle boot fetish). They had the perfect height, clumpy heel. They were even in the sale. It killed me to have to put them down again.

As I first entered those brightly lit, welcoming doors, the first person I saw, was non other than tax-dodging-billionaire-Mr-Topshop himself, Philip Green. Now here I realised I missed a great opportunity to question him about the fact that Topshop the biggest high-street retailer not to join the Ethical Trading Initiative or the recent scandals that the Arcadia group (that he owns, which includes store such as Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and BHS). I will be kicking myself forever that I didn't ask him why he seems to care so little for the people who make his clothes, especially seeing as Topshop have aligned themselves with PETA. They seem to care about animals, but not about humans.
But he had a very tough looking body guard next to him as well as being surrounded by other 'important' looking people in headsets. Given his past short-shrift with impromptu questioning (see the Fast Fashion Dispatches programme from Channel 4 last year) on these subjects and the heightened security around him in light of the recent protests against his refusal to pay taxes, I was too scared to approach him.
I wish I was braver.

Of course I didn't buy anything. My resolve is strong and I am not going to give up on my challenge that quickly!
I did notice myself becoming something of a fast-fashion feeder for my friend. Hoping, I suppose to get the same shopping thrill vicariously through her.
She was looking for some jeans, they didn't have the style she liked in her size and colour. She wanted black.
me: "Oh, get the grey ones, grey is nice. I really think you should get the grey. It will still go with all the things the black will. And they have those in your style. I think you should get the grey."
She decided to hold out and wait till she could find the black.

In the end we both left empty handed. Holly was annoyed her trip had been fruitless, I was thankful not to have given in to temptation!

Love Is In The Air

2011-02-15T20:43:00.003Z

I know that loads of people hate Valentine's Day, think it is too commercial or too soppy or whatever......however, I love it.
I am a true romantic Last night I was treated to the perfect Valentine's date by my wonderful boyfriend. We went and had the some of the best cocktail I've ever tasted at Lounge Bohemia, a communist era, Eastern European basement bar just off Shoreditch Hightstreet. 1960s furniture and menus hidden amongst the pages of books, it is stylish and interesting, with a very innovative drinks list!
Then we went to Saf, a very fancy vegan restaurant that I visited once before and wrote about on the blog. I had one of the best meals of my life. And to make everything just perfect, my lovely boyfriend even turned up with a huge bunch of roses!
Normally I've stayed in and cooked at home for Valentines, so it was a nice lovely to be taken out this year!

I understand the anti-valentines argument, that you should show the person you love, how much you care every day - and yes, of course you should. However I like to fully embrace every chance for a celebration. I mean, why pass up a good excuse for a good meal and a fancy new dress....

Now onto that dress -

I spotted this red suede dress in the vintage shop I work in a few weeks ago. I looked at it and loved it, but thought that maybe I didn't really need a LRD (Little Red Dress). To be honest I don't normally wear such a bright colour, but I am a sucker for a good fabric and the suede was just so soft and lovely.
When I helped a girl try it on, I got a pang of jealousy that made me know it had to be mine. Thankfully she decided not to get it!
Then I realised I'd be able to wear it on my valentines dye. I know wearing a tight red dress is a bit of a cliche, but hey - as I said, I am have been embracing V-day wholeheartedly this year. And it only cost me a bargin-tastic £12!
I teamed it with some red lipstick, and some cut-of tights style stockings underneath!

Did any of you guys go out on Valentine's dates? And did you wear red, or go for something a little different?

Outfit -
Red Dress - Berty And Gerty Vintage
Shoes - ASOS
Cable Knit Cardie - Berty and Gerty Vintage
Faux Fur Coat - River Island
Belt - New Look
Scarf - Moodys

FAST FASHION REHAB: Tights And Stockings

2011-02-13T11:20:00.000Z

When I decided to give up all non-ethical fashion I didn't really take all the essentials into consideration. All that I was thinking was how tough it would be not to pick up new trends as easily and as quickly as I was used to.
However, just over a week into my challenge and I have come to the first major hurdle. I need new tights.

American Apparel Advert

As, predominately, a wearer of skirts and dresses, tights are a very important party of my wardrobe. Normally I get my tights from Marks and Spencer's or Boots and I tend to go for the 40 or 60 denier black opaques.
Some of my tights probably just need to be cleaned and they'll be ok again, although I have noticed that the 'basics' ones I have bought from M&S, seem to loose the elastic from the waistband once they come out of the wash. Because of this I got quiet used to just replacing them every couple of weeks. Defiantly not the best thing to do for the environment.

Now, though I also have lots of pairs with holes in so i definitely need some new pairs.
When I spoke to some of my friends about my dilemma - where do I get ethical tights from?! They all said they thought I should be allowed to 'cheat for essentials', however to me that seems to completely go against the spirit of my challenge. I am not going to give in that easily...

The first thing I thought of was American Apparel. It still seems to surprise a lot of people when I tell them that everything in AA is ethical made. Their factory is in downtown LA, and they pay the workers twice the minimum wage. I have always been impressed with the structure of their business (even if the CEO is a bit of a perv - with quiet a few sexual harassment cases under his belt). AA basics are the foundation of my wardrobe. I couldn't live without my U-neck dresses. The prices are a little higher than the rest of the high street but the quality is always good and you know that no one has been exploited (except maybe the girls in the adverts!)
I know American Apparel sell socks and tights. I have a pair of their thigh-high woollen socks that I love. However I was shocked when I recently went in to check out the hosiery. The tights were £21 a pair. For one pair of tights! I am used to paying about £4/5 for three pairs!
So I left empty handed.

My next tights encounter came in Agent Provocateur, though unfortunately not for me! I went in to buy a pair of saucy seamed hold-ups for a friends birthday. I did worry as I went it in that this time I might really be braking my ethical code. But I thought that as it was a present maybe it was ok. However I was delighted to stop a "made in the EEC" label on the stockings packet. I decided to ask the shop assistant about their origin and she happily told me about the British and French factories where they are made, under strict guidelines on safety, wage and working hours. So Agent Provocateur are okay too.

I have searched high and low online and so far have only come across the thicker cotton tights that are ethical. I don't want those though. I want nylons. I think they look classier, and make your legs look slimmer and the chunky woolly ones just don't cut it.

So the current options for my tights are American Apparel or Agent Provocateur. While this
would do the state of my underwear draw the world of good, but would devisate me bank balance in the process!

I even tried looking in vintage shops for tights and stockings, but I found they were all either new, 'vintage-style' which I think is against my rules, or they were huge and strange colours (orange stockings anyone?)

Today (feb 14th) is Valentine's day, and I have a beautiful new dress for my dinner date with my boyfriend tonight. I didn't really want to team my sexy new dress with tights that are full of holes and have a ripped gusset (why is this bit always the first to go!) so after reading online about recylcing old tights, I found a post on a burlesque forum from a woman who said she got fed up of looking for thicker stockings for everyday wear (mostly stockings you can by are fishnet or very sheer). She said she bought thicker tights, such as my beloved 40 deniers, and simply cut them off right at the top of the legs and wore them with a suspender belt.
I thought this idea was pretty genius, especially as with all the old tights I have at the moment, it is the top part I have problems with; the aforementioned holes in the gusset and the elastic going.
So now I can sauce-up my hosiery, save my pennies and recycle my old tights all in one go!

However I know that this is a temporary solution only, eventually my newly cut stockings will ladder too. So my tights search will continue.
If anyone knows where you can get ethical nylon tights or stockings please do let me know!

ASOS...Oh, ASOS...

2011-02-12T15:19:00.008Z

Oh ASOS.....

Really, you leave me all confused.
You give with one hand and then take away with the other.

It was pointed out to me on twitter (via the Offset Warehouse) that ASOS have just got rid of their Ethical Fashion section.
It used to be that it was there in the drop-down menu, but it seems it is no longer wanted by the fast fashion giant.
It is sad as I was gearing up to spreading the word about ASOS's new initiative, The Marketplace, that is supporting independent designers and vintage sellers.

Here is a bit of their blurb:

"ASOS Marketplace is powered by a collective love of fashion. It's a destination for inspiration and discovery, where fashion lovers sell directly to each other and where individuals can recycle their wardrobes alongside specialist boutiques. Marketplace ushers in a new era of fashion, where we are all experts and style transcends trends.
Our Boutiques
Our Boutiques showcase a curated selection of our most exciting discoveries. We provide a platform for the best in emerging design talent, independent labels and vintage specialists. The Marketplace lets our boutiques set up shop and start selling now. Designed on Monday, made by Wednesday. You bought it on Friday. Fashions getting faster.
Wardrobe recycling
Individual sellers can sell their ‘wears’ directly back to the Marketplace community. Open your wardrobe to the world and create your own fashion legacy. Your ‘too tights’ are another’s ‘just rights’. Don’t leave a good buy behind; style it up, sell it on, let it fund your next fashion find."

To be fair the Market place is a fantastic idea. It allows anyone to open up their own online boutique and looking through is really fun.
Every one of the Boutiques are illustrated with very high quality 'street-style' type photos; making browsing a really fun experience.

I have been having a look thought today and have found a couple of Boutiques that I would share with you.

1. I CAN MAKE SHOES
This is one of the two ethical labels on ASOS Marketplace.
Designer, Amanda Luisa, makes her own shoes and shoe accessories (or Shoellery, as she calls it!) out of up-cycled materials. She also sells shoe making courses so you too can learn her craft! I am a sucker for a stud, so obviously I am very into these. They are also very reasonably priced. The velvet studded shoes are £65! Cheaper than the high street!

2. ELECTRIC-IBIZA LUXURY BODYWEAR
Ok, so this might not be suitable for everyday wear, but I couldn't help but post them. I love feathers, leather fringing and those body chains, so it had to be on the blog.
Designer Emma Jean makes each piece by hand, to order.
I think that tasselled body, could be pretty wearable if teamed with a cute little skirt!

3. MADAM POPOFF VINTAGE
These cute Margate based vintage store can be enjoyed by everyone now they are online. They pick the out really cute vintage pieces from a range of different eras. Unlike some online vintage shops too they keep the prices reasonable - just as it should be!

You need to apply to ASOS in order to be able to open one of these Boutiques. This is order to keep the quality high. The boutiques are divided into sections such as 'Vintage', 'Emerging Designers' and 'Ethical'. Unfortunately the ethical only has two listed at the moment, though hopefully as the site grows this will increase.
If you aren't ready for the whole Boutique thing, but still want to sell some unwanted clothes or handmade things, you can set up as an individual. This is free to do, and it is free to list. I think ASOS then take a commission on what you sell.
I love that it is putting the buying and selling back into the hands of smaller businesses and individuals. It is a refreshing change and a good move I think, especially from a super-brand such as ASOS. I really hope it takes off as I think this kind of industry is the future of fashion.
It also makes me look a bit more kindly on ASOS. Even though they have removed the ethical section from the main site. And it was a plethora of cheap-looking and little worn ASOS dresses that I sold at a jumble sale last year that started me thinking more about ethical fashion.

I used to shop at ASOS all the time. Under the impression that it was fine to blow up to £100 a month on a online shopping spurge with them the day after pay day. I got so into this habit that I ended up with lots of things I bought, not because I loved them, but because I thought they were ok and cheap. It was that thrill of the shop! And the joy of having the delivery man turn up at my work with a huge package for me. It was like having a mini Christmas every month.
To be fair, I still love and wear a lot of those ASOS purchases, but it did, in the end, make me realise that I was purchasing things just for the sake of the buying.
However by investing in a new designer or rediscovering some vintage gem you can get something a bit more special and unique and of a better quality too. An all round win!

123.....Go!

2011-02-06T16:26:00.010Z

One of the things I hoped to achieve when setting myself the challenge was to discover and promote some of the fantastic and innovative designers who are working within ethical fashion.
Most young designers working in this country will probably be working without sweatshops, as they make their clothes themselves or with small teams of sewers and makers. However I know there must be loads of people who are going above and beyond and really working hard to make fashion more sustainable and environmentally conscious.

I hate to say it, but when I first started looking into ethical brands, I found a lot of them quiet boring.
I am all about the messages they are promoting and the ideas behind the clothes. But I am a fashion-fan and I want my clothes to be exciting and stylish as well as ethical. I am afraid they a simple cut shift dress and boring button up cardigans are just not going to ever set my heart alight however organic the cotton is.
I am not going to name names with these brands, as what they are doing is very commendable. Also I am sure the quality is second to none and there is a time and place for these sensible clothes (but on my fashion blog is not it!)
So I was determined to find something a little bit more edgy.

After a lot of googling I can across the website for 123 Bethnal Green Road, an ethical concept store set up by brother and sister team Ross and Michelle.
They come from a family of textile recyclers and decided to bring that tradition bang-up-to-date with a range of clothes made from fabrics that would otherwise be filling up landfills.
Their own in-house design team transform these found materials into very desirable garments and because they work with often limited amounts of the fabrics available to them all designs are produced in small runs, meaning hundreds of other people won't have the same thing as you! They even manage to keep the prices quiet reasonable, especially when you consider the work that has gone into them. The blouse is £60 and the leather skirt is £120. So, about the same as a high street shop.

My favourite pieces are the leather skirt and dress. Probably an obvious choice for me as I am known for my love of all things a it goth! I am also really impressed with the styling. So often recycled and ethical clothes go for the ethereal look, pastel shades and minimal make up - bit not all of us who are into eco-clothes want to look so pure and innocent all the time, I like the occasional bit of drama with my clothes!

As well as having their own collection, they also stock other really interesting eco-friendly labels.
Now I have discovered the 123 Bethnal Green Road website I can't wait to get down to the actual store (can you guess the address?) and see some of these fabulous garments for myself!

Most Wanted Party

2011-02-03T20:53:00.010Z

On Tuesday evening I was lucky enough to be invited to a party housed by Most Wanted, the online magazine from VoucherCodes.

To be honest I felt like a bit of a fraud. I was at a party, that celebrates discounts on high-street fashion, on the vary day I announced my plans to give it all up! However I am not one to turn down some free cocktails and besides I had already rsvp-ed and got myself a lovely plus one.

The cupcakes with pound signs on did make me smile, they must be the ultimate in consumerism!
But very tasty too - I had two!

I went along with one of my best friends, Holly. We were given lovely drinks, VoucherCodes branded cupcakes and yummy canapes and then, we had a private screening of Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette. It is a bit of a trashy and silly film but very enjoyable. Sugary and sweet, I can't help but be seduced by the mix of fancy shoes, macaroons and pastel colours.
We were in the screening rooms of the Soho Hotel, which were magnificent. I sat on a large cow skin chair, with both arm rests to myself and a little drinks table between Holly and myself.

There was also a ultra-cool photo booth and box of props that Holly and I were rather impressed with!

As always the best thing was to hang out with some of my favourite bloggers. I am constantly amazed by how stylish and talented these ladies are.
A big up to my some of my favourite girls - Amy, Jazmine, Reena, Fiona and Kristabel.

But, as I said. I did feel a bit out of place. The whole event was to promote discount fashion, which I am no longer participating in. I was worried that at any point I might get a tap on the shoulder and be escorted out!
However I did find out something that really made my night. I was chatting to one of the VoucherCodes ladies and explaining about how I was getting more interested in ethical fashion and the environment and she told me that the company runs a tree planting program to make up for all the vouchers that people print out! So they are giving something back, for each piece of paper that gets used. Wonderful.

Edit:
I just found out the VoucherCodes do a discount at the Ethical Superstore and Gossypium!
So they are supporting ethical fashions as well as the high street. It is so great that big companies are getting behind ethical brands!
So check out both great shops and the discounts from VoucherCodes:
vouchercodes.co.uk/ethicalsuperstore.com
vouchercodes.co.uk/gossypium.co.uk

FAST FASHION REHAB

2011-02-01T11:00:00.004Z

So I have an announcement to make.
I have realised that I, like a lot of women of my generation am addicted to fast fashion. And it is no laughing matter.

I have been thinking a lot recently about the consequences of my actions. I have been feeling increasingly uncomfortable with my level of consumerism. I really noticed it when I had a stall at my favourite jumble sale and my rail was filled with nylon Asos dress after nylon Asos dress. Some I had worn quiet a few times, some hardly ever. I bought them because they were cheap, because I could and because it gave me a thrill.

Then I watched Dispatches: Fashion's Dirty Secret. An undercover documentary that exposed illegal sweatshops in this country. With dangerous conditions and minimal pay, the conditions were those that I imaged where a thing of the past and certainly occurring only in far away places. Around the same time as this Dispatches was on there was a story in the local London news about a clothing sweatshop being raided in Dalston. I used to live in Dalston - it was happening right under my nose.
No human should have to endure such barbaric conditions, and at the end of it all, what was it for? A £5 pair of New Look leggings.

Illustration by Karolina Burdon for an amazing article about
Dispatches by Nick Bain, for Amelia's Magazine. To read it go here

Now, most high street stores have distanced themselves from these practices, however they still subcontract out manufacturing to other companies, who them subcontract it out again. So in the end the supply chain gets so muddied that no one in charge really knows where the clothes are coming from. In fact, in Dispatches the undercover journalist was sewing on labels stating the clothes were made in foreign countries, when they clearly weren't.

I love fashion, but seeing the conditions under which my beloved clothes were made made them seem cheap, nasty and dirty.

If you haven't seen that Dispatches, then please do watch it. Especially if you love fashion (which if you are reading a fashion blog I am sure you do!)

But it isn't just the ethics of clothes that started to make me feel uncomfortable. There is also the huge environmental cost of all those cheap clothes.

Fast fashion has become so throwaway. We buy a new dress for each event and a few tops and bits because they are cheap and the latest trend. Some we wear, some we don't. Some fall apart after a few washes.
The amount of clothes people buy is growing and growing and a lot of the cheap, fast fashion we consume is made from man made fabrics which cannot be recycled.
An article in the Telegraph in 2008 stated that "As a result the proportion of textile waste at council tips has risen from 7 per cent to 30 per cent in five years."
And that was three years ago. Think how much it is now.

I don't want to have cheaply produced, sweatshop clothes that will get misshapen after a couple of spins in the washing machine. I don't want to be seen out in the same cardigan as everyone else. I want my clothes to be special and good quality.

Though still I am drawn back in every time I spot a new trend, or see a cool looking girl wearing something I don't have. My mind starts to spin, my heart rate increases and I being to trawl ASOS or rummage through Topshop or New Look until I am satisfied.
Fast fashion really is an addiction and I am well and truly under it's spell still. I hate myself for it, but somehow I can't let go.

Before I go shopping (on-line or in real life) I get so excited. When I am in the shop I go through with a kind of manic desperation to see everything, I get irritable and stressed. I am best at shopping on my own for this reason. I find things I like, try them on, compare and scrutinise until I have made my final selection. Then I go to buy. Now here is the time that the addiction really shows it's ugly head! As I hand over my card my whole body is full of Adrenalin and endorphins. - It really is a wonderful feeling. I wanted those things and no they are mine!
Once I've paid, I always feel guilty. I am not a rich person and I can't afford the amount of shopping I do. However, the guilt is quickly forgotten when I get to wear my new clothes.
Then, a week or so later I need a new fix and it all starts again.

So, I have decided to admit that I have a problem and I want to do something about it.

I am going to go cold turkey.

I am giving up high street clothes and fast fashion.

I have decided to set my self this challenge.
I will not buy any fast-fashion, or non-ethical clothing for a year. Starting on the 1st of February 2011.

Oh god - that means no Topshop till 2012.
(What are I getting myself into)

So the rules:
1. I must not buy ANYTHING that is not second hand or ethically made (so I don't have to give up shopping all together)
2. I will research and investigate ethical fashion brands and alternatives to the high street.
3. I will not accept the normal 'we are working towards better conditions' excuses from big brands when it comes to sweatshops. If there is any doubt that anything is made those conditions I will not go anywhere near it.
4. I am allowed to keep and wear all of the high street clothes I have amasses up until this point (obviously!)

This won't be easy for me. I am the kind of girl who is used to blowing a significant proportion of my wages on Asos as soon as I've been paid. But if I, a bonafide fashion victim can do it, than so can anyone.

So, to celebrate my last days of freedom I bought two things from Topshop on Sunday. Yes, I know it goes against everything I've just said, but it felt like a symbolic last supper.

From now on, for the next year - I am done with fast fashion.

I will be putting regular updates of my struggle on here, as well as profiling ethical brands and ideas.
I will still of course be doing outfit posts, trend reports and all the usual, so stick around. I may be going all eco but I am still very much into my clothes! There won't be a hemp shirt in sight...I promise.

Christina x

p.s If you run an ethical fashion label, or run ethical fashion events or initiatives, or are a high street retailer who would like to be able to have your say - please do get in touch!

Trend Watch: The Midi Skirt

2011-01-25T21:55:00.004Z

Now that the festivities of the winter are well and truly behind us, it is time to move on. Time to drag myself out of those winter blues and start making plans for the new season.

I've been having a look through the top trends and shows from the Spring/Summer collection, pulling out the pictures I like and trying to create something that is vaguely coherent so I can try and work out the styles I will be trying to emulate in the coming months.

Very surprisingly to me, the trend I was most drawn too is the midi skirt.
Midis are difficult, or are at least, thought to be. I've avoided this length all my life as I am a bit of a shorty. At little over 5'2 I have always just assumed that short skirts were the answer. Occasionally I have opted for a floor-sweeping maxi, but generally, my hemlines are on the mini side of the scale.

Midi skirts cut across the calf, which is one of the wider points of the legs. And I have always been quiet fond of my legs, so never keen to hide them under unflattering skirts. However I've had a bit of an epiphany.
Firstly I noticed all the catwalk shows and loved how elegant, dignified and comfortable longer skirts looked. I love the style f swishing down the street in a maxi - but as soon as it rains they soak up water. I live in London. It rains a lot.

Then I saw a few people in the gallery and vintage shop I work in wearing them. I love people watching as it is one of the best ways to discover great trends! I saw cool girls in midis and the allure started to grow.

I tried on (and then bought) a skirt that comes down to the top of my ankles. I loved it. It is purple and I will do a post with it soon. I feel a bit like a crazy, hippy art teacher in it. But hey - there are worse things to be.
Then I bought a 1940s style black, calf-length dress and I LOVE IT! It is my favourite dress ever right now. That one makes me feel like a sexy secretary or librarian.

I'd do a post with that one too (I promise).

Here are my favourite designer inspirations for the midi skirt trend.

Topshop, Asos and all the usual places have them, but do check out vintage shops too. Most vintage dresses are longer. Normally I am an advocator of hacking off the hemlines to make them super short - but just this once I say - No! Put those scissors down and embrace the longer length.

If you think the midi trend isn't for you, please don't just shrug it off without trying. I thought it would make me look horrendous but I am now converted. Fashion should be all about fun and experimentation, so - give it a go!

The Winter Coat

2011-01-13T20:59:00.003Z

I wanted to share a couple of pictures of my most important buy of this winter. My coat.
This is normally the most expensive item of clothing anyone will buy a year, so it is really worth getting something that is good quality and fit for purpose!
I saw loads of really cute coats in shops like New Look and the like, but they just seemed so insubstantial and thin. And lovely, lovely ones in Topshop, but for high street they seemed so expensive (I swear their prices for larger items have shot up in the last year).
I work three days a week in a vintage shop in Camden market. It is a small shop, with huge open front doors. It is basically like standing outside, just ever so slightly more sheltered, so I have had to be completely wrapped up to avoid freezing my little socks off.
So thank god I found this beauty! It was nestled in a rail of fur coats one especially cold day when I arrived at the shop. It was prices at £50, so once my amazing discount was taken into consideration, cost me just over £30. Double win. It was cheap and is the warmest thing I have ever worn.

I blogged a while ago about fur, whether it can ever be justified etc. To be honest if it is vintage (and therefore basically recycling) I don't think it is too bad anyhow, my coat is real sheepskin and I love it. There is nothing that will keep you warm like natural fibers. It's sheepskin, so basically the same a leather. And vintage. So it's fine. And wrapped up in it with an added layer of pure wool cardie underneath I was snug as a bug in a rug.

Once again these pictures were taken in France on my Christmas break. One in the local town, near my mums house, Dinan. We went there on Christmas eve to get crapes. Te other two were taken in my Mum and Stepdad's woods, near there house. It is so beautiful round there and we went for a lovely post Christmas dinner walk.

Outfit:
Coat - Vintage from Berty and Gerty
Hat - Kangol
Scarf - New Look
Bag - River Island
Dress - H&M
Desert Boots - New Look
Wellies - Borrowed from my mum (though originally a present from me!)

New Year, New Me

2011-01-10T20:35:00.002Z

I'm back! It is a new year and I am going to get firming back in the blogging seat.
I can make all the normal excuses - and to be fair, they are all true. I've been working 6 days a week and late in the evenings, it's been my birthday and Christmas. Blah, blah, blah. But also...honestly? Well, I kind of lost my way a bit. I was feeling very uninspired by blogging and by fashion. I still love clothes - don't get me wrong. It is just that suddenly the ASOS dresses I used to amass with such vigor look like cheap and a little bit nasty.
I also saw a documentary towards the end of last year, that exposed the sweatshops that are operating in this country. It was really shocking - and all the clothes that were being made by the underpaid, over-worked 'employees' were destined for New Look, Peacocks and other high street stores.
I don't want to buy into the disposable nature of cheaply made, fast fashion clothes. But I still love to dress up. Without the designer budget (that I'd love) the thing I am draw to now is vintage. Well made, good quality but still a bargain! It is like recycling. Better for the environment, better for the soul and much more individual and interesting.

So, I have decided that both my style and my blog need to take a bit of a shift in direction. From now on I will concentrate of more thrifty finds, that I can put together in an unique and interesting way. I'll try to do more DIYs and share tips for vintage shopping, jumble sales and bargain hunting. Hopefully the fashion will be more interesting and inspiring and I will be doing something that is a little bit different and a little bit more 'me'.

I apologise for the long rant, but I felt I had to share. I am excited about blogging again and for the last couple of months I haven't felt like that. But hey, I guess we all get writers block sometime. I am just happy to have come out the other side unscathed!

So, now here comes the fashion part:
I thought I'd share some pictures taken whilst frolicking in the French countryside. My mum and stepdad live in a wonderful and beautiful part of northern Brittany on a smallholding with there own animals, forest and land for vegetables. I was there for Christmas, with my boyfriend, and it was just perfect. Then on boxing day we flew back to the UK to see his parents and family, which was really lovely. It has been a rather fantastic festive season. I am so sad it is all over for another year!

This was taken on Christmas morning. Look at my amazing high-heeled stocking! Hand-made by my mummy! It was filled with lovely soap, candles, real vanilla pods, a bottle of proper champagne and lots of other lovely treats! We all had stocking and opened them before breakfast. It is my family tradition not to open our main presents until after lunch.
The rest of the images were taken just outside my mum's house, which is a converted barn. As I mentioned they live on a smallholding/farm, which is why there are rabbits and sickles to pose with!

I love this outfit. The colours are everything that I love now. The taupe with the cranberry and dark green (green is my latest favourite colour). And the mixture of textures is very satisfying too, I get way to excited by mixing velvet and chiffon.

The shorts were a great find. I unearthed them at the Christmas Bazaar at the Lexington pub in Angel in London. It was the first time they've had a jumble and craft sale there and I had a stall. As it was the first one it was unfortunately not that busy but I really hope they do more as the stalls there were brilliant!
I am always drawn to velvet, and the deep burgundy red colour, so when I spotted these high-waisted hot pants I knew it was lust at first sight. When I got them in the toilets, which were the makeshift changing rooms, and they fitted like a glove, it was true love. Even better they cost me just £5 and make me look about 5lbs lighter too!

The shirt came from Rokit in Camden, I just popped in one day after work and found it on the sale rail. It was £14, the colour is super flattering and I love that I can dress it up with high-wasted hot pants but could also make it smart if I had to go to an important meeting or job interview.
The green cardigan I picked up from the vintage shop that I work in a few days a week. Over the winter they have had in some great knitwear, and I am a sucker for it all! The shop I work in is more reasonably prices than a lot in London and with my discount it works out pretty cheap. The cardigan is too big for me, but I think that is how jumpers should be worn.

Also - eagle eyed readers may notice my pendant. Yep, it is my skull cameo, the one I went on about on my blog loads. My wonderful boyfriend bought it for me for my birthday, which was just before Christmas. I love it so much!

Outfit:
Blouse - Vintage from Rokit in Camden
Cardigan - Vintage from Berty and Gerty in Camden
Shorts - Vintage from Jumble Sale
Desert Boots - New Look
Necklace - Cai at Gemondo

Wow, what a long post. Sorry that it is a bit rambling!
It's good to be back.

Christina x

Dear Father Christmas.....

2010-11-26T17:02:00.004Z

God. I am rubbish.
Every blog post now starts with a list of excuses. I am now working 6 days a week and have a new house that needs a ton of work so blogging has seriously slipped from my priority list. But I have not forgotten it completely. I am hoping to do some outfit posts soon, inspired by some lovely ladies who contacted me on twitter about 'Dressember' - but more about that later.
Right now I am sat in a Christmas market, for my gallery and it has got me thinking about presents. I am obsessed with Christmas and am pretty much finished with my shopping - but here is my wish list. So if you are Father Christmas or a relation of mine, take note - I've been such a good girl all year!

1. Ok, it's there third time featuring on the blog is the love pillows from Lush Designs.
I do seriously love them and since the move I am a bit homeware obsessed. We have new 100% cotton sheets in pink and red and I think these would just look amazing on the bed.

2. I would really love some lovely works of art to put on the wall (framed would be good too as I have recently fond out just how bloody expensive can be, thanks to my gallery work!)
I have been after a print by Dan Hillier who sells at The Sunday Upmarket on Brick Lane for a while. His gothic victoriana line drawings are right up my street!

3. And speaking of art, the gallery I am working for - Outline Editions has some prints I would love. I love the Butterfly Melody by Beyond The Valley and either Bird 04 or Bird 02 by HelloVon.

4. Back to the bedroom now - I spied these Urban Outfitters throws on the Christmas list of one of my favourite bloggers - the lovely Ellie from Pretty Much Penniless. And as soon as I saw them I thought - uh...wow! It's just what I need to go with my pink and red sheets and love pillowcases (not that I even have those yet!) My favourites are the Russian Rose one and the Perched Birds.

5. Ok, so the reason I was inspired to do this list as I currently whiling away the time at this Christmas fair (they just brought out some free champagne! Score.) and as I walked in I spotted the lovely Lou Rota's stall. I recognised her great plates and mugs instantly as I haven't stopped thinking about them since I first saw her work at a ceramics sale I went to with my mum. I even blogged about them before. I love them. I've never thought about having decorative plates before but now it seems like these are all I want in the world! Look at them! Aren't they great. If it wasn't a month before my birthday and Christmas I would have bought my self something from her stall by now (a mug maybe) but I know the rules - must stop shopping for myself before Christmas.
I went over and talked to Lou herself, she is so sweet - I was acting like a total fan girl. Now i can't stop staring at the stall!

6. Its a skull, you put a tea-light inside it and it glows. Nuff said.
I have a coffee table just screaming out to have this sitting on it.

7. What girl doesn't want some lovely jewellery for Christmas or her birthday? I certainly do.
Another thing that has featured on the blog before (ages ago) was this beautiful skull cameo pendent from Gemondo. And even better, it is now £20 cheaper than when I first found it!
Everyday when I am getting dressed I think, oh what jewelery shall I wear? And I always think how this necklace would go with EVERYTHING I own! I want it so much it hurts.

8. Sticking with jewelery for a moment, I am also very into this super Day of the Dead necklace and this Sugar Skull necklace from Galibardy. One day I hope to go to Mexico for the day of the dead - until then I will just have to keep collecting things with skulls on.

9. So not a skull, but still a bone - I have been after a wishbone necklaces for ages. Dogeared do the definitive one, (I like the larger style) but good old etsy is full of great versions - and they are cheaper too! This one is by Lu's Boutique. She has some other lovely things in her shop too.

10. I can't believe I haven't bought this for myself yet:
Grinderman 2, on vinyl of course.

And finally for the things I haven't found proper versions of, but would love beyond all measure.
Tights - woolly (cashmere maybe) in camel, beige, grey and black.
Scented candles.
A new purse. Mine has totally fallen apart. I'd like it to be leather, and big, grey or black and maybe with a tassel or something.
Anything for my kitchen, a cookbook (vegetarian friendly) or a pot or pan.
Anything nice for the bath and for pampering.
Cusions, throws - a cable knit blanket.
Anything with skulls on it.......

I sometimes worry my Christmas list has too many skulls on it! That's ok though right?

Whats on your Christmas list?

And, don't think I am just into Christmas because am into the getting of presents. Nope - I love the giving to and have done nearly all of my shopping already.
Basically I have turned into a one-woman Christmas-parade. I am so so excited!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Outline Editions: Into The Forest

2010-11-05T10:40:00.003Z

So, things have been a bit slow on the blog recently (and also on my social life front - sorry to my friends, I'm not ignoring you - just really busy!). First there was the whole moving house thing. Then I got a brand new job working for a pop-up gallery, Outline Editions - which is all rather exciting. It is full on busy at the moment as we are preparing for a new show. It is called Into The Forest and is themed around nature.
There are some fantastic pieces by some of the top design and illustration talents in the country. I thought I would share a few of my faves with you. And if you are in London anytime between the 11th November and 31st January, come and pay us a visit. The gallery is at 94 Berwick Street, London W1F 0QD and we are open 12-6.30 tues-sat.

HelloVon

Beyond The Valley

Sarah A King

Claire Scully

For more information please go to www.outline-editions.co.uk
All prints are also available to buy online.

The Fur Debate

2010-10-24T10:47:00.000+01:00

It is something that always seems to rear it's head this time of year as the weather starts to turn and our thoughts turn to things that will keep us toasty.
I have just started working part time in a rather wonderful little vintage store in Camden. In it we sell lots of furs, some faux, some not. Whilst I have been in the shop, helping people try things on and absent-mindedly stroking coats I have been thinking over that old fur question...

I am a vegetarian so I tend to think I am pretty up on animal welfare issues, but I am confused.
I don't think I could ever wear fur. I defiantly think that wearing and buying new fur is pretty disgusting. The trade in animals is nasty and cruel. I have read horrific reports of the way animals are killed and skinned in order to retain the perfect pelts, apparently they are often skinned before they are fully dead.
But then I do like collections by designers that feature real furs (Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Anna Sui, Mark Jacobs, Miu Miu, Proenza Schouler and many more...). And I am aware how shallow that sounds. I like to think I would turn down any real fur, but if I was offered some fur lined Chanel jacket, would my fashion-loving consumerist self get the better of me? I like to think not, but then we all like to think the best of ourselves. A real anti-fur activist would say you should boycott all products for a brand that uses fur. My boycott of McQueen is currently based only on my lack of funds, not the fabric he uses. If I did have the money, I know I wouldn't rush out to buy a fur, but I probably would get something else from one of his collections (one of those gorgeous skull print scarfs perhaps.)
I really wish this that all designers would switch to fake, some are so good these days. Also if all designers agreed to go faux I am sure the quality would continue to improve.
So, I don't wear new fur, but I do wear new leather. If you really read the PETA website you will see that almost everything is wrong in some way. They even list silk as cruel - I never even stopped to think about the feelings of the silk worms!
I always thought leather was ok, because it is a byproduct of the meat industry, but according to Peta that is a myth and leather is just as bad as fur. I have leather bags, shoes, skirt, jackets. I really love leather.
Back to a point I made earlier - I am a vegetarian, and I am anti fur. So really I should be perfect for PETA. But they scare me and put me off a bit. I find it all a bit too much. Too many rules, still too many things to be told off for. Yes, I don't eat meat or fish, but I still eat eggs (though only free range) and dairy and drink wine (which normally uses bones in the filtering process don't you know) so there are still horror stories of suffering to read. And yes, I am against the cruelty of the fur trade, but I wear leather and my duvet is full of duck feathers. I try to be good but it can be hard to get it all right. It is all so much to think about. I think PETA come across as quiet an unfriendly organisation and maybe that puts people off. I, once again am unsure how I feel. I want to support them but worry that with my failings I might not be accepted.

So back to fur - but this time of the vintage kind.
Does fur being vintage make a difference?
I personally still feel a bit funny about it, and wouldn't feel comfortable with a huge fur coat draped around me - but we had some really cute ankle boots in the shop, with just a little bit of fur lining and I hate to say it, but I was very tempted....
On the whole I think my position on vintage fur is that all vintage fashion is a positive thing. Basically it is recycling in it purest form. If those old clothes weren't worn again they would be chucked out and put in a landfill. But re-using something you get to take a stand against mass production and disposable fashion (something I am starting to feel more strongly about - though I still love asos....).
I also spoke to an up-and-coming fashion designer who was looking to source old pelts to use in her designs. She said that recycled fur was set to be the next big thing.
Recently an anti-fur protest group started a campaign against a certain major London vintage shop. The last few times I ave been in, they have been picketing outside. I think that this protest is a waste of time.
I get there argument that if you wear any kind of fur, new or old, you are supporting the idea that it is glamorous and therefor boosting the trade. But a successfully vintage shop is doing some much good by re-using, recycling and making that desirable, that the campaigners were failing to see the bigger issues. If you want to protest about fur surely there are places where their energy would be better spent - a retailer that sells the new stuff maybe.
I tried to say all of this to one of the protesters once, but they just got shouty and then I did a bit too. My boyfriend looked extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed by the scene so I left it and walked away. But I still don't get it, why pick a vintage store?

So at the end of this I still don't really know how I feel about fur. I am against it but then there may be exceptions. I am so confused. I hate the idea of anything suffering just for my pleasure and I feel sick when I think of eating meat. I am a vegetarian for a number of reasons, and animal welfare is one of them, but more it is because I find the idea of putting a dead animal inside my body kind of wrong (this is a personal choice, I am not a judgmental veggy - you enjoy your steak - it doesn't bother me!) But I love my leather skirt. And I wear fake fur...but that's ok right....?

These Boots Were Made For Walking

2010-10-22T20:46:00.006+01:00

Firstly I have to say I am sorry for being so slack on the blogging front. I have a million excuses...
1. I moved house! Very exciting but also very time consuming. First there was all that packing, then the move itself, then the unpacking - which if I honest isn't really done yet. I am loving the new house though and am hoping to make it all super cute. I may even post some pictures soon!
2. Once we moved we were without Internet for a while. I was on twitter still thanks to my blackberry but it made blogging impossible.
3. I quit my old job and got two new ones! But in the crossover period I have ended up working loads more - evenings, weekends etc. I had booked time off to sort the house out but ended up working the whole time. I have a lot on at the moment but some of it is really exciting.
Okay, so three reason, not a million but they are pretty big ones.

This particular post is something I have been meaning to write about for weeks and weeks! You may have read about the Bertie Blogger event elsewhere (seeing as I am so tardy with my posting) but I wanted to tell you about my experience of it.
I was really delighted to be invited to the event. I (like all girls) love shoes, and I was really excited to get a chance to see the Autumn/Winter collections before they hit the shops.
I had never really bought shoes in Bertie before. I am not sure why, I think I assumed they were a lot more expensive than they are. The price point is actually about the same as Topshop.

When I arrived I was greeted by the lovely PR girls and told to try on all the shoes I wanted. I was literally like a kid in a candy-store. I, along with the other bloggers were grabbing shoes left right and centre and jostling for space in front of the mirror. I love playing dress-up, and with so many beautiful things on offer it was hard to know where to start!

As the evening went on I heard more and more whispers of free shoes. Suddenly the lovely (and very patient) shop assistants were asking which pair we would like to take home.
I went into panic mode - so many shoes and one could actually be mine! Oh god! I needed to make the right decision!
I went back and forth a million times, but in the end settled for some super cute and comfortable chunky heeled, fur lined hiking boots. I love them. I went for them as they are different from anything else I have. And that fleecy lining will be amazing over the winter as you feet feel all snuggley inside.

When checking out the Bertie A/W look book (see above) I realised the pictures were taking in F. Cookes Pie & Mash shop on Hoxton St. It is a proper old school eatery, with sawdust on the floor.
Before I moved I lived really close to Hoxton Street and we said that before we moved out of the area we had to go eat there as Pie & Mash is the proper East-Enders meal of choice. So when we went along I wore my Bertie boots to recreate the feel of the look book.

So thank you Bertie, I love my boots so much. The event was wonderful and the new collection is to die for. So if like me, you had overlooked Bertie in the past, give yourself a slap on the wrist and get looking at their website now!

Wearing:
Dress - ASOS
Belt - Vintage
Tights - Marks and Spencer
Boots - Bertie

A Stylish Marriage

2010-10-05T22:29:00.003+01:00

Sorry it has been a while since my last post - I am moving soon (you will get used to hearing this excuse if you aren't already!) and so my time as been a little consumed.

Just over a week ago I went to the most fabulous wedding. My lovely friend Mia (of Used and Abused Vintage and 1960s Bride) got married to the wonderful Matt - as well as now being mr and mrs they are in a band together called 2Hot2Sweat - check them out! Corrine, also of Used and Abused Vintage was a bridesmaid and both bride and all of the bridesmaids looked stunning in 1960s stylings.
Here is a picture of the bride and groom and then of the bridesmaids and ushers:

It was such a wonderful day, and as you can see the sun was shining brightly - though it was rather cold!
I wore the Philip Lim dress that I found at Susie Bubble's yard sale. It was too big, and even after having it altered it didn't fit as perfectly as I had hoped - it was still loose on one side. And with a one shoulder dress that is asking for trouble! Especially when you are in a Catholic Church - I really did not want to expose myself to the priest! So I got a good fitting strapless bra and pinned myself in!

I love the dress though. I don't normally wear green but I think I like it.
This is the first ever designer item I have owed, and it was a bargain-tastic £5. It has to bed said though it did make me feel "a million dollars'. The fabric was so soft and luxurious. It is such a beautiful dress! The fringed jacket is an old favourite of mine. I found it in the sale section at topshop in Birmingham one boxing day, when I went to my boyfriend's parents for Christmas. I don't wear it nearly enough - it is really fun to dance in!
Now i just need more special occasions like Mat and Mia's fantastic wedding to wear my special dress too!

Wearing:
Dress - Philip Lim
Fringed Jacket - Kate Moss for Topshop
Ankle Boots - Kurt Geiger
Pom Pom Headband - ASOS
Bag - Zara

And the Winner is....

2010-09-28T21:24:00.002+01:00

So the time has come for me to announce the winner of my Love From Hetty and Dave Giveaway!

Thanks to everyone who entered. I thought it was really fun to have a competition on the blog. So fingers crossed I'll be able to organise some more.

I assigned a number to each follower who left a comment and an extra one for those who tweeted and then used random.org to generate a number. So I can now reveal that the winner of the Hetty and Dave owl broach is......

Cowbiscuits!

I am so pleased this lovely lady won as I love reading her blog. She is a super cute girl with great style.
So congratulations Cowbiscuits!

If you drop me an email with your address I'll get your prize to you asap :)

Commiserations to those who didn't win, but I promise there will be more competitions soon!

Measuring Up - 22d September 2010

2010-09-22T20:54:00.009+01:00

I really enjoyed writing my version of the Guardian's The Measure last month and it got some good feedback, so I thought I would have another go. Let me know what you think. Maybe it could even be a (semi)regular feature on the blog.

Going Up -
Homeware - I am moving house really soon and so suddenly I am obsessed with bed linen, decorative vases, coffee tables and all things house-y. As soon as I get into my new house I expect all my spare money will be spend of soft furnishings, already I am constantly 'researching' things for the house online. I thing I probably know the ikea website better than it's designer.
My favourite things I have found so far are these Love Pillow Cases from Lush Designs and these wonderful Crow Plates by designer Lou Rota.

Weddings - This weekend I am off to my friends wedding on Dartmoor! I am very excited. I haven't been to a wedding in ages and this one is sure to be super-stylish! The Bride is the beautiful Mia (of Used and Abused Vintage and 1960s Bride) and Corinne (also of Used and Abused Vintage) is a bridesmaid! There is a vintage/1960s theme and I am wearing my Philip Lim dress that I got from Susie Bubble's yard sale. Even the hen do had a chic Mad Men theme - you can see the pictures here! I literally can't wait!

Cable Knits - I am on the hunt for the perfect cable knit. I love the Prada version (bellow) but ideal mine is cream, oversized and a cardigan. I was lusting over Alexander McQueen cable knit dresses in Liberty over the weekend. Back in the real world though, I am scouring ebay. A girl on my train this morning was wearing the perfect one, I had major knitwear envy.
If I can't find anything suitable I may try and get a pattern, my nan said she would knit for me!

Shrag - Ok, so a little bit of nepotism. But I have to share the fantastic video by my boyfriend's band. The song is called Rabbit Kids and they are called Shrag. Also note the amazing Beagle puppy sweatshirt Bob is wearing. I bought him that :)
Here it is:

Going Down -
Shearling - Oh dear. I think I am over it already. It is such a shame, the Burberry Shearling jacket really is stunning but the high street has become completely over saturated. Everywhere you turn I see another sheepskin collar poking out of cheap PU. I even saw the Marks and Spencer jacket that I blogged about before, in the flesh. I didn't like it. It just looked fake and cheap. If I bought one know I think I would be fed up of seeing everyone else in the same thing pretty quick. Only buy into this trend if you can afford the Burberry (see below), or you happen upon some beautiful, real leather vintage gem. Step away from the Pleather.

Knee High/Over the Knee Boots - just look wrong. Just because it is now officially A/W doesn't mean we have to dig them out again. I am still all about the ankle boot though. I just got the most perfect fur lined ankle boots from Bertie...but more about that another time.....

Fashion Week - I am glad it is over. I didn't go this year, due to work and my mum visiting (much more important, I am sure you'll agree). I was just starting to get really jealous of all my blogger friends at shows. Thank god it's gone! I will try to make more of an effort in February.

Go Gaga for Gogo

2010-09-21T20:55:00.003+01:00

I was recently sent the lookbook for jewelry designer Gogo Philip. As soon as I saw these stunning sexy shots I knew I had to share them.
I often find myself drooling over super-luxe accessories on this blog. Normally they are way out of my price range. Not so with fantastico-gogo! Gogo Philip has been selling in Topshop Oxford St for a while now and has just launched his online shop. Everything is reasonably prices - especially when you consider how high end it all looks. My favourite piece is the snake necklace in the third look. It is a perfectly affordable 36 Euros (I don't have the brain capacity right now to work out the exchange rate - but it seems reasonable to me!).
Gogo Philip is from a long line of Italian jewelry makers. You can see the classic style of his roots in his design as they really do straddle that difficult-to-define-line between old-school chic and modern glamour. The chunky gold chains are just on the right side of ostentatious and are a perfect example of everything I love about the high gloss allure of Italian Fashion.

As I already said; the snake necklace is my favorite thing on the site. But there is a great mix of things, with some cute 'OK' pendants and lots of fierce chains. It is well worth a browse through his online shop.

It is so great to be excited about stunning accessories that I might actually be able to afford for once! Long live high-fashion-low-cost style!

GIVEAWAY! Love From Hetty And Dave.

2010-09-16T12:36:00.002+01:00

I was lucky enough to win a competition on twitter, for being a follower of the super-cute accessories label Love From Hetty And Dave. They make the most darling leather stitched broaches, headbands, stoles - well just about everything really (I even read on twitter recently something about nipple pasties! Could be an exciting new venture.)
I discovered Love From Hetty And Dave after my friends Corrine bought our the lovely Mia this rather wonderful Bride-to-be badge for her hen do. (Mia and Corrine both write and amazing blog called Used and Abused Vintage and Mia who is getting married next week -*excited sequel* also has a wedding blog.)

I started following Love From Hetty And Dave on twitter and they announced a competition to win a fantastic goody bag. Previously I had been looking at their online shop and already had my eye on a fantastic ice-cream coloured, Day of the Dead Sugar Skull style headband. Anyone who ad read this blog before will no my penchant for skull jewellery, so I was instantly attracted. When I discovered that the skull headband I lusted after was included in the goody bag prize I knew I had to enter. And low and behold - I won!
So now I am the very very proud owner of this Day of the Dead headband;

I have decided to share the joy and offer one of the other stunning things from the goody bag as a prize to one you my lovely followers :)

The prize is this gorgeous hand stitched leather owl broach from Love From Hetty And Dave.
It is so stunning and I will be sad to send it off, but I won lots of things and it is only fair to share.

To enter the giveaway you need to be following this blog and you need to leave a comment on this post with a link to your blog or an email address so I can contact you.
- In your comment please let me know if you are following on google reader of blog lovin'
- This competition is open to everyone. You don't need to have a blog - but you do need to be following mine!
- There will only be one winner
- International entries are welcome!
- Competition closes on the at Midnight on the 26th September (GMT)
- There is one way to get an extra entry - if you tweet @Miss_Xtina is giving away a super-cute Love From Hetty And Dave Broach
I will re enter you name.
- the winner will be chosen at random.

Good luck!

Last of the Summer Sun

2010-09-15T21:12:00.000+01:00

For ages I have been after some underwear-as-outerwear shorts. I even tried to find some real pajama/knicker type things that were decent enough for everyday attire - but to no avail...until the ever-wonderful asos came to my rescue! I spotted these beauties (not underwear, just real shorts). Thankfully I ordered them just before I found out I am moving house, so they narrowly escaped my no-more-shopping-until-we've-moved spending/hoarding ban. I have been clearing out in a major way and anyway, these shorts are silk and light as a feather, so they won't hinder the moving in any way!
I think this might be my new favourite outfit. As well as the shorts I am very keen on my new-ish wedge desert boots. I love desert boots anyway, they just seem so comfortable and reliable. I am my sure the fact my mum used to wear them the whole time growing up contributes to my nostalgic feeling towards them.
I think my boots came to me as a gift from fate. I had spied them in New Look and on the feet of a friend (I got major shoe envy!) but quickly learned that they had sold out everywhere. Then about a week later I invited some friends over for dinner, we were chatting fashion and I mentioned the boots I lusted after. Low and behold, one of my friends had bought them in my size, but discovered they didn't really fit. She had planned to return them, but said she would sell them to me instead. They were unworn and she is at uni, so I got to get them for a student discount price! Score! They are now my every-day shoe. Stylish but comfortable enough to wear when standing up all day at work.

Wearing:
School Uniform Blazer - Marks and Spenser Children's Dept.
Jumper - Topshop
Shorts - ASOS
Wedge Desert Boots - New Look
Skull and Pearl Necklace - The Big Sky

Sunday Girl

2010-09-13T21:57:00.000+01:00

This was my Sunday outfit. I was off to the pub for a friend's birthday drinks post-house cleaning, so I didn't want to be too dressed up - I was trying to find that balance of looking presentable yet not like I'd tried to hard! I have a tendency to over dress so for me it is quiet a challenge!

I fell back on some old staples of my wardrobe. I think the key to casual chic is wearing things you know well and feel relaxed in. My velvet skirt from ASOS is so comfortable (that'll be the stretchiness of it!) so while the fabric looks quiet dressy, it doesn't feel stuffy. I teamed it with a nude t-shirt and this denim shirt. The shirt belongs to my boyfriend - in fact - I bought it for him. But I think I wear it more than he does!

I got these little taupe socks the other day. I think they are really cute. i was hoping to wear them with bare legs - but it is now far to autumnal for that! I know socks and sandals is one of the big no-nos of style, but I think it looks cute.

Wearing:
Denim Shirt - Topman
Nude Corset Detail T-shirt - Topshop
Stretch Velvet Skirt - ASOS
Skull Necklace - The Sunday Up-Market
Sunglasses - Paola Loves To Shop
Socks - ASOS
Elastic Wedge Sandals - ASOS

I am trying to get more used to the idea of regular outfit posts.
I hope you like them!

Tales from a Car Boot Sale

2010-09-12T13:39:00.000+01:00

So - a little update on all things car boot sale related!
It went really well at Battersea Car Boot Sale. I got rid of tons of stuff and made about £80. Ok - so I am not a millionaire yet but every little helps!

I am moving house soon so my main aim was to clear out. And I did sell loads of things and also (amazingly) managed not to buy anything!

I arrived a little later than planned to find Kristabel and Yishyene already sitting in the car park waiting for me. I had walked the wrong way up the road for about ten minutes - I am useless with directions! We were 'walk-in sellers' and spaces is allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, so it is recommended that you get there early. We were camped out in the car park a good two hours before the main sale started. This was fine though as I found a local cafe to get coffee from and stocked up on snacks.

When we did get let in we found out that they had run out of tables. Normally you can hire a table for £3, on top of the £10 seller fee (somehow though all three of us managed to blag our seller entry for £20 between us - score!). So with nowhere proper to put our clothes we just started laying everything out on the floor.

As soon as we started unpacking our bags people dived in. A rather beautiful wool vintage coat, and cashmere jumper (with tag still on it!) and some black leather boots were the first things to be snapped up from my pile. I was a bit useless with my pricing and so kept forgetting what I'd said to people. I think I charged £12 for the coat but mostly things were £3 or under. Towards the end things were all going for £1 or 50p - I was just determined not to lug all that stuff home with me!

I discovered that I am useless at haggling - any time someone said "will you take £1" I would instantly fold and say yes. In my head I was thinking - just take it, give me whatever - I don't mind - I just want rid of all this stuff!

The very sweet and beautiful Jazzebelle came along (she is a Battersea car boot regular) and bought a super cute vintage playsuit from me. I am so glad it had gone to a good home as I thought it was one of the best things I had to sell!

I am on an official shopping ban until after I move now and really loved the cleansing feeling of having a big clear out. I am even thinking of doing it again. I still have more stuff I could get rid off and I am deciding whether to put some on ebay or get another stall somewhere - I am thinking of the Wills Moody Jumble Sale as I have been there many times as a punter and it is always amazing. My lovely friend Corrine went this weekend and posted about it.

So ebay or vintage sale? What do you think?
Ebay can seem like so much work, and though having a stall is too I think it is more fun.

Sugar Rush

2010-09-11T12:13:00.000+01:00

On Thursday evening I was invited to a wonderful event for fashion bloggers at My Sugarland: a vintage and designer concept store. It is like a big dressing up box full of the most beautiful things. I had walked past it lots of times and marvelled at the stunning window displays, so it was a great experience to be invited in to play....

My Sugarland, which is right by Angel tube in Islington was set up by stylist Zoe Lem, as a place to have beautiful things - a mix of old and new, with vintage objects, such a suitcases and tea-cups used as storage - it is a stunning place - like every little girls (and bigger girls too!) dream shop.

Unfortunately I didn't have my camera on me as my invite was quite last minute - so my pictures all come from my blackberry - please excuse the bad quality. Hopefully the beauty of the shop will still shine through.

I was greeted by the lovely staff, with a glass of bucks fizz. Inside there were hair and make-up girls, working their magic on the other bloggers. I was to busy chatting to the other lovely ladies in attendance to have time to get a make over, but I did get to play dress up!
When I first went in we were told we could try on anything we wanted. At first I was a little wary as everything was so beautiful and expensive and I was so hot and flustered having been working all day, then rushing quickly to a gallery opening then on to the My Sugarland party. But once I saw everyone else in the wonderful clothes I had to get in on the act.
One of the My Sugarland team helped me pick out a dress and jacket that we thought would look good. I said I was a bit scared of colour, but perhaps could try something new - as long as it wasn't to bright. She picked out this stunning bottle green shift by Jasper Garvida and I found as cute little black 'trophy' jacket also by Jasper.
I went to a launch of Jasper Garvida's collection a while back (I meant to blog about it but never got round to it because I am useless!) I am a huge fan of his work. He makes the kind of dresses that I think all women would love to wear, classic but still interesting. I loved the dress I tried on. I didn't want to take it off. I loved the colour and the shape and it fitted like a glove. I wish I had the cash to buy it. I miss it, I think I am actually in love....

Maybe I should start saving up - does any one happen to have £380 they would like to donate to the 'buy Christina her dream dress fund'?
Notice the good quality of these pictures - that is because the lovely My Sugarland peeps had a brilliant fashion photographer there to snap us all in the lovely clothes!

If you can't make it down to London to visit the store, then fear not - they have a great website too and most of the pieces in-store are also available to buy online.

Big love to My Sugarland for having such a beautiful shop and throwing such a grand party!

Car-Booty

2010-09-04T17:57:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow I will be joining forces with two of my favourite fashion bloggers; Yishyene and Kristabel, to sell our wears. I am moving house soon so need to get rid of TONS of clothes!
I have a mixture of high street and vintage, lots of lovely shoes and one beautiful 1960s wool coat. Everything will be supper cheap as I need to get rid of it all!

If you are in London please come along! It would be lovely to meet lots of lovely people while we sell our things.
I've never been to Battersea Car Boot, but I have heard that it is a great place to grab a bargain and it is one of the biggest car boots in London. My lovely friend Corrine wrote a review of it on her blog.

Unlike most car boot sales it opens at 1.30pm so you still get to have a lie in and nice Sunday breakfast.

Please some down and say hi!

Making Lists

2010-09-01T19:57:00.000+01:00

I was hoping to do another outfit post tonight as I am wearing the brown lace dress I got from the yard sale and it is beautiful. But I had a very stressful day at work coupled with a impromptu late night drinking session yesterday so I am just kind of collapsed on the sofa as soon as I got home. I had a convenience food dinner and am now catching up on last nights Big Brother. Then a bath and more Big Brother. I am too tired for anything more!

So tonight's post is my Autumn/Winter wish list. It is the first of September so the new season is officially upon us (just ignore how hot and sunny it was today!)

Firstly - the biggest purchase of the year- the winter coat. I've been obsessing over styles for weeks now. Do I want a mannish camel coat? A parka? A shearling? Well really I want them all. However I have decided that this cape is what I am after:

I first saw it in the Topshop look book and have even featured it on this blog before. Recently it was also featured on the Guardian Weekend Magazine fashion pages. It isn't on sale yet and I don't know when it is going to be. I am in love with it and am checking topshop.com obsessively in case it suddenly appears!

Recently I have got into wearing trousers and the colour khaki - and so the other day when I noticed these beauties in Whistles I got more than a little bit excited. I love the seem details and the zips on the bottom. I just don't know if they suit me. I like trousers but I am still not 100% convinced trousers love me. I am ways feel much shorter and fatter in them, especially such skinnies!

Speaking of khaki.....I said before that I didn't want to hear about the new Chanel nail varnish colours as I was so in love with Particuliere.
However as it turns out I am very suggestible and have been worn down by the fashion industry. I now REALLY REALLY REALLY want the new khaki green shade.

Does anyone know if there is a good copy around? I can't keep buying such expensive nail varnish!

Ever since I saw LLYMLRS in this gorgeous Topshop playsuit I have been lusting after it. Thank god it is sold out in my size or I probably would have bought it already!

Isn't it cute!

But really for winter I need to be collecting up warm things. It was so bloomin' cold last year. I am officially on the hunt for chunky knitwear - preferably in camel/mink/stone tones. I am hoping to maybe uncover some in second hand shops and boot fairs. I have also seen one in Topshop that fits the bill perfectly -

I love it so much - it is not often I get so excited about a jumper! It looks so cosy! Like the clothing equivalent of curling up on the sofa with a hot chocolate.

And now for something completely impractical.
I want a sheer skirt.
It is a very catwalk inspired look but something that I think is just beautiful.
Here is another Topshop A/W look book shot - this gives the kind of idea, but I want a skirt not a dress (I think).

I've been trying to look on ebay to fine something similar - however have realised that putting 'sheer skirt' into the search yields some rather terrifying results. Oh well, the hunt will go on!

Wow - so much of my wish-list is Topshop based!
So what do you think? And what are you excited about this coming season?

Last Season or Vintage?

2010-08-28T19:07:00.000+01:00

I don't know when something changes from being a few seasons old, to vintage. When a certain piece of clothing is in the press a lot wearing it at the time feels great - like you are right on the cusp of a trend, but then after a few months it feels a bit old and awkward. So then how long do you have to wait until it feels right again...?

Take this dress. It was from Kate Moss' first range for Topshop. It was the one she mentioned as her favourite and it sold out within hours. When I first got it I wore it all the time. Then for the past few years it has sat unworn in my wardrobe - but all of a sudden it feels the right time to bring it out again and I am really enjoying wearing it.

I love the tattoo print. It mixes up the 'prettyness' that you expect with a chiffon dress. And the muted grey/blue is a wonderful colour - and perfect for our sometimes sunny, sometimes rainy, unpredictable weather at the moment!

When the first Kate Moss for Topshop collection came out I was so excited. I didn't go into the store for the opening, but did set my alarm for 3.50am as I knew the collection went on sale on the website at four in the morning. I was texting one of my friends, who also braved that ungodly hour. Once I had successfully bought the two things I wanted I went back to bed with a satisfied smile.

I have continued to be impressed by the Kate Moss collections - but nothing compares to that initial excitement. I still love this dress - a am also very glad that it still fits after all these years!

Another thing I've been meaning to mention on this blog for ages is my Topshop clogs. I love them so much it hurts.
Walking with chunky wooden soles is the weirdest thing ever, not uncomfortable - just really strange. I am still not completely used to it!

Wearing:
American Apparel - Black U-Neck Dress
Kate Moss for Topshop - Tattoo Print Dress
American Apparel - Grey Marl Cardigan
Topshop - Clogs
Vintage - Belt
From the Sunday Up Market - Skull necklace

Yard Sale

2010-08-25T21:47:00.000+01:00

I mentioned in my last post that I was hoping to go to Susie of Style Bubble's Yard Sale that she held, along with some other bloggers, last Sunday. Well, I did go and I am so glad!

If you don't know Susie's blog, then you really should (stop reading mine and go check it out straight away!). It is one of the first blogs I ever got into and she was a huge inspiration to me and to many other blogs. She has such a playful and original sense of style that you can't help be captivated. Whilst I have quiet different taste from her (I am scared of pattern and colour - she embraces them both!) I am envious of her effortless style and incredible wardrobe. So her yard sales seemed like the perfect way to grab a piece of it for myself. As well as that I knew some other bloggers who I could meet and hang out with would be there. And there is nothing I like more on a Sunday morning than rummaging through bags of clothes.

When I arrived I realised that my camera was not charged (it was early on a Sunday so excuse my disorganisation!) so the picture of the sale here is from Style Bubble.

Susie promised before hand that everything would be really cheap - if I am honest this was another major attraction for me as I knew that the end of the month was drawing close and money was getting tight. Susie kept to her promise and n the end I spend a grand total of £16 and came home with three amazing things that I love - so not to bad! I even walked there and back, so saved myself the tube fair!

So here is what I got! I will do some outfit posts including these things soon I promise. But for now they are just on hangers in my bedroom!

First up I got these stunning ASOS heels. They are the most beautiful taupe colour, and the perfect high-heel high. High, but still walkable. They look almost completely unused, so for £3 I think I got a rather good deal! I can't wait to where them out!

My second purchase was not from Susie, but from one of the other select bloggers who had stalls - Shini of Park & Cube. It is a lovely sheer lace dress that can be layered with slips of American Apparel jersey dresses. It is very 'me' and fits like a glove. It could be dressed down with a cardy and biker boots in the say or worn with heels at night. I love dresses like this as often I find myself having to go out straight from work - so I need one outfit for both day and night! And it cost me £8.

So...I saved the best till last. I got this amazing dress from Susie...

Did you see that label! Yes - Its 3.1 Phillip Lim! When I discovered this beauty my heart skipped a beat. I was surprised it hadn't been snapped up already. The silk feels so beautiful and it drapes in such an elegant way. Simple yet interesting. Phillip Lim is one of my favourite designers and to really put this in context - after my years and years of obsessing over Vogue, I have never owned an item of designer clothing. I was scared to ask Susie the price as I knew my money was running low but I did and she said the dress was £5! £5 for some Phillip Lim - Yes please!
The only downside is it is slightly big - I am debating whether to take it in myself as I think it would be simple, or take it someone to get it done professionally. I don't know how much alterations cost, it can't be too much right?
I am in love with this dress. It makes me happy when I think of it hanging there in my wardrobe.
I want to play around with styling it and may wear it to my friend Mia's (one half of Used and Abused Vintage and the 1960s Bride) upcoming wedding.

It was such a fun way to spend Sunday morning. As well as shopping I hung out with some lovely blogger gals - Save Our Shoes, Wolf Whistle and I Want You To Know - who are all total sweethearts. And I met Susie Bubble, who was so lovely and sweet. Though when talking to her I was a bit weird and awkward as I got a bit star struck! I've been reading and loving her blog for years!

The other thing I did this weekend was clean my flat and sorted out my own wardrobe. I know have loads of clothes that I need to get rid of, so I might try and get at stall at a vintage or jumble sale or put it all on ebay. I need to decide what is the best thing to do.

Measuring Up - 21st August 2010

2010-08-21T19:00:00.000+01:00

I am obsessed with The Measure in The Guardian's Weekend Magazine. It is like a 'what's hot and what's not' list printed on their fashion page. I turn to it first as soon as we get the Saturday papers - in case you've never seen it you can see them all on the Guardian website.

Inspired by this I have decided to create my own version of The Measure. Let me know what you think of my choices.

Going Up -
Winter Coats - Normally I hate people wishing away the seasons but right now I am obsessed with looking at winter coats. Since all the look books came out I have been on tenterhooks waiting for the coats I've seen to hit the shops. I think I want something camel, and possibly a cape, or a parka - oh so many exciting options!

From the Topshop A/W10 Look Book

Yard Sales - I am oping to pop along to the Bloggers yard sale being hosted by Susie of Style Bubble tomorrow morning. If you are in London then you should come too. I am looking forward to meeting some fellow bloggers and having a rummage!

Pre-Season Clear Outs - I had a massive wardrobe cull today. I was pretty ruthless and shall be putting lots of stuff on ebay over the next week. I am thinking of putting any money raised towards my new winter coat (when I decide what style I want!) Getting rid of old clothes that you no longer wear, feels so good - like a weight has been lifted - and now there is more room for lovely new things!

Clogs With Tights - What I thought was a silly summer impulse buy (thought mine are Topshop not Chanel) now looks like they may work for winter too.

Chanel Clogs and tights - Image by Garance Dore

Itadaki Zen - My new favourite restaurant, has been changed round inside recently and they have a brand new website so you can see the menu online. All organic and vegan Japanese food. Really yummy. The Nigiri sushi is particularly good. I recommend ordering the medium platter to share plus (for 2) and one or two sides each. Food that is interesting, healthy and cheap = always a winner.

Georgia Jagger - Not only one of my all time top girl-crushes, but clearly lovely too. She is donating money to the oil spill disaster for each new follower she gets on twitter. Follow her here.

Going Down -
Kitten Heels - A while ago we were told how much we'd all love them come autumn. Well autumn is fast approaching and I am still unconvinced. Magazines keep using them but I'm just not feeling it.

Ipods - Katie Price is doing her best to ruin Apple's cool image.

New Chanel Nail Varnish Colours - I don't want to know what the new colours are. I bought the brown one (Particuliere) and I still totally love it. I don't want to be told I need another one already - it was damn expensive!

So what would be in your version of the measure this week?

Blond Hair/Dark Glasses

2010-08-18T21:37:00.000+01:00

As you may know I recently went from red-head back to blond. I've given sneak-peaks of my hair already on the blog - at the recent Aussie event it was at a halfway stage (still a bit more coppery in tone) then in my Tatty Devine post you can see the see the ends poking into the picture. But here is the finished article - it is official I am blond again.

In the end I went to two different hairdressers and spent about 7 hours sitting in their chairs with my head covered in nasty smelling bleach. I also bought the expensive shampoo and conditioner that they always try and sell you as I was so worried I would have done a ton of damage to my hair. In actual fact it feels still in quiet nice condition. I have been using more conditioning products than ever though, and still I am noticing that my hair doesn't get greasy as quirky as it used to, so it must have dried out even more.
The colour is a mix of very light ash blond and a warmer champagne colour. I love it. And it feels fantastic to be blond again - it is my natural colour after all (though the shade at the moment is a bit lighter). While I have no regrets about going red, as I had previously never one anything with my hair, I feel more myself now I am back to blond.

In other exciting news (well exciting for me at least); I won a competition! I never win things so I was overjoyed, especially as it was on one of my favourite ever blogs - and defiantly daily-must-read, Llymlrs. I think I have a bit of a girl-crush on the lovely Lily of Llymlrs. She has such a cute style and always looks so pretty. Anyway, she ran a giveaway with Paola Loves To Shop, an amazing independent sunglasses shop and I won. I got to pick any pair from the site!

I went for the Alex the Cat in tortoise shell as I just love the pointy ends. The reminded me of those Alexander Wang glasses. My Wang-obsession is much documented on this blog, so I am delighted to have these look-a-likes.

If you like sunglasses (and who doesn't) I really recommend checking out Paola Loves To Shop as their styles are gorgeous. They also have a Sunglasses of the month club that you can join and they will send you a new secret pair of glasses each month! I think this is such a cute idea - more shops should run this kind of deal!

So...what do you think of the hair?

xoxo